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Published: 06-04-2018 16:44:00 | By: Nico Scherphuis | hits: 3784331 | Tags:



Plug and Play Alberta announces 72 startups for its fifth cohort
Published: 04-04-2024 | 06:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau




































Relocalize raises $2.5m seed round to decarbonize food & beverage manufacturing
Published: 10-10-2023 | 11:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Relocalize has raised $2.5m in the initial closing of $3.5m seed round.


Vistry unveils conversational AI platform LumoChat for food commerce
Published: 09-10-2023 | 11:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vistry has announced the launch of its Conversational AI platform, LumoChat.


Plug and Play Alberta announces 73 startups for Fall cohort accelerator programs
Published: 06-10-2023 | 12:11:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Plug and Play Alberta has announced 73 startups for the Fall cohort.


Lumi secures seed funding to revolutionize disposable packaging industry with LumiCup
Published: 29-09-2023 | 11:10:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Lumi announced the closing of its seed funding round.


50 African women to benefit from fellowship on agri food policies
Published: 15-09-2023 | 13:15:00 | By: Bob Koigi
The two-year career development program aims to grow a pool of confident and capable mid-career African women to lead policy changes to improve African smallholders’ livelihoods, particularly women.


Glasgow food tech startup ENOUGH raises €40m growth fund to scale mycoprotein production
Published: 22-08-2023 | 12:35:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Glasgow-based food tech startup ENOUGH has raised €40m in growth funding.


D'Amelio Brands announces $5m investment into the Food & Beverage space
Published: 21-08-2023 | 13:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
D'Amelio Brands announced a $5m investment from Fifth Growth Fund (FGF).


UK foodtech startup Clean Food Group raises £2.3m funding to scale operations in advance of Series A
Published: 16-08-2023 | 10:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Clean Food Group has announced a further £2.3m funding.


UK foodtech startup Clean Food Group partners with LATAM food technology specialist, Alianza Team
Published: 15-08-2023 | 10:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Clean Food Group has announced a strategic collaboration with Alianza Team.


Cultivated meat startup Meatable raises $35m to accelerate commercial launch of its pork products
Published: 08-08-2023 | 12:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Meatable has raised $35m in new funding.


Copenhagen startup Bactolife raises €30m Series A financing to accelerate growth
Published: 08-08-2023 | 11:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bactolife announced it has successfully raised €>30 million.


Supply Change Capital closes debut $40m fund to invest in the future of food
Published: 27-07-2023 | 13:00:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Supply Change Capital announced the close of its inaugural $40 million fund.


Kenyan households bet on food MSEs for affordable meals
Published: 26-07-2023 | 11:30:00 | By: Bob Koigi
An estimated 60 per cent of rural and urban Kenyan households access their daily meals from micro/small enterprises (MSEs) at local markets.


Denver-based foodtech startup bitewell closes oversubscribed $4m seed round
Published: 10-07-2023 | 12:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
bitewell announced an oversubscribed close of $4 million seed round.


Kenyan agritech startup Kyosk acquires KwikBasket, expands into fresh produce market
Published: 10-07-2023 | 11:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan agritech startup Kyosk, is expanding into the African fresh produce market.


NBA superstar Chris Paul joins plant-based startup Wicked Kitchen as investor
Published: 27-06-2023 | 18:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
10-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul has joined the Wicked team as an investor.


Foodtech startup PartnerSlate raises $4m from to accelerate growth
Published: 14-06-2023 | 15:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
PartnerSlate has raised $4 million round led by Supply Change Capital.


Cambridge-based biotech startup Uncommon raises $30m
Published: 09-06-2023 | 12:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Biotech startup Uncommon has raised $30m to pave way for scalable cultivated meat utilising RNA technologies.


Wicked Kitchen acquires Current Foods to lead the way in plant-based industry transformation
Published: 26-05-2023 | 12:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Wicked Kitchen announced the acquisition of Current Foods.


G.O.A.T. Fuel closes $5m seed round to accelerate growth trajectory
Published: 26-05-2023 | 11:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
G.O.A.T. Fuel announced the successful closing on its initial Series Seed round of financing.


Absa acquires minority stake in South African agritech startup Khula!
Published: 18-05-2023 | 14:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Absa Bank has acquired a minority stake in South African agritech startup, Khula! 


Singapore-based tech-enabled coffee chain Flash Coffee extends Series B round to $50m
Published: 17-05-2023 | 13:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Singapore-based tech-enabled coffee chain Flash Coffee has announced the successful completion of its Series B financing round led by White Star Capital, raising a total of $50 million following its latest closing.


Nigerian cold-chain startup Gricd rebrands as Figorr, secures $1.5m seed funding to support data-driven insurance for perishable goods in Africa
Published: 17-05-2023 | 11:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Gricd, a technology company that develops Internet of Things-powered solutions to support the last-mile delivery of perishable goods, has secured $1.5m seed funding.


Start-Up Nation Central collaborates with Microsoft to promote Israeli agri-food tech startups
Published: 16-05-2023 | 12:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Start-Up Nation Central has collaborated with Microsoft to promote Israeli agri-food tech startups in the international marketplace.


Dairy Runway program launches to provide education and support for early-stage dairy innovators
Published: 10-05-2023 | 15:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cornell University's Center for Regional Economic Advancement (CREA) and the Northeast Dairy Foods Research Center have launched the Dairy Runway program, an entrepreneurship curriculum for dairy innovators.


GRASP fellowship invests in African women researchers
Published: 06-04-2023 | 12:15:00 | By: Bob Koigi
The Kenyan women, and others selected for the GRASP Fellowship, are set to participate in a series of interventions, including leadership and mentoring training, designed to enable them to become more effective policy practitioners


Korean foodtech startup Nuvilab selected to join Google for Startups Accelerator: Circular Economy
Published: 24-03-2023 | 14:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Korean food-scanning startup Nuvilab was selected to be the only Korean startup among hundreds of candidates to join "Google for Startups Accelerator: Circular Economy".


Food industry disruptor ISH launches plant-based seafood to U.S. foodservice companies with Dot Foods
Published: 08-03-2023 | 11:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The ISH Company (IHS), a startup disrupting the food industry, has entered a strategic, non-exclusive distribution agreement with Dot Foods, to expand its distribution across the U.S.


Biotech startup Chromologics completes €7.1m funding round to accelerate natural red color production through precision fermentation
Published: 06-03-2023 | 10:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Chromologics, the Danish biotech company, announced the successful closure of an extended seed round of an additional €7.1 million in equity.


Sustainable hemp food startup announces first expansion into the non-dairy dessert category
Published: 03-03-2023 | 12:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Planet Based Foods, the first and only company to produce nutritious plant-based meat with sustainable hemp as its number one ingredient, announced its expansion into the non-dairy frozen dessert category.


Elgon Kenya partners with Ministry of Agriculture to reward young farmers
Published: 23-02-2023 | 13:15:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Agro input company Elgon Kenya has partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Education to reward pupils and their teachers for participating in food production in a wider scheme that seeks to motivate school going children into farming.  


[Interview] David Galadima, Founder, Graemoh Foods, Nigeria
Published: 21-02-2023 | 10:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Passionate about sustainable agriculture, aquaculture and food security in Africa, David Galadima is the Founder of fast growing agriculture and processing company, Graemoh Foods, operating out of the northern state of Kaduna, Nigeria.


Agritech startup IngredientWerks announces successful completion of seed round funding
Published: 21-02-2023 | 10:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
IngredientWerks, an ag-tech ingredient company developing high value plant-based proteins for the alternative protein markets, announced it has secured its seed round of funding.


Berlin's EatFirst acquires London-based foodtech startup Feedr to accelerate growth
Published: 13-02-2023 | 10:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Berlin-based corporate food ordering platform EatFirst, has acquired Feedr, a London-based enterprise food technology platform that gives corporate customers software to support healthier daily eating in workplaces.


Israeli foodtech startup Meala secures $1.9m pre-seed round to improve plant-based foods
Published: 10-02-2023 | 09:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Startup Meala FoodTech, the developer of a functional protein platform, announced the close of $1.9 million in pre-seed investment. The round was led by The Kitchen FoodTech Hub.


South African grocery delivery startup Yebo Fresh raises 4.5m pre-Series A funding to fuel expansion
Published: 06-02-2023 | 15:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Yebo Fresh, a South African grocery delivery startup has raised $4.5m in a pre-series A equity funding round.


Ingredient biotech startup Michroma closes $6.4m seed round to bring novel food coloring to market
Published: 03-02-2023 | 12:38:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Michroma, a precision fermentation food ingredient startup, announced it has closed $6.4 million in seed financing, to fast-track the company's commercialization of sustainable natural colorants.


Free From Market raises $2.1m seed round for its food is medicine platform to treat chronic health conditions
Published: 30-01-2023 | 09:59:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Free From Market (FFM), the patient-driven digital platform, announced it has closed a $2.1 million seed investment.


Food Foundry accelerator announces fifth cohort of early-stage foodservice startups
Published: 23-01-2023 | 11:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Food Foundry, an accelerator program built by Relish Works and Gordon Food Service for early-stage startups disrupting the food and foodservice industry, announced the five startups that will join the fifth cohort starting in January 2023.


Infant nutrition startup NAMUH partners with Ginkgo Bioworks to produce multiple infant nutrition products
Published: 18-01-2023 | 14:11:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Infant nutrition startup NAMUH and Ginkgo Bioworks, announced a collaboration to develop functional oligosaccharides that are structurally identical to those found in human breast milk.


Nigerian agritech startup Releaf secures $3.3m pre-Series A funding, unveils new technologies to drive profitability for consumer goods manufacturers
Published: 09-01-2023 | 10:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Releaf, a Nigerian agritech startup, has raised $3.3 million in an oversubscribed pre-Series A funding round.


EG Capital announces anchor closing of its maiden fund to invest in startups across East Africa and Zambia
Published: 19-12-2022 | 09:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
EG Capital, a growth-oriented private equity impact firm has announced the anchor closing of its first EG-Economic Empowerment Fund LP (EG-EEF), which will invest in medium-sized businesses.


Nigerian foodtech Orda raises $3.4m seed round to digitize African restaurants
Published: 01-12-2022 | 09:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian foodtech platform Orda announced has raised a $3.4 million seed round to further digitize food businesses across the continent.


Israeli foodtech startup ChickP raises dairy-free ice cream to new heights
Published: 29-11-2022 | 14:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
ChickP Protein, a food-tech startup, has introduced chickpea protein isolate for plant-based ice cream. Protein from this ancient crop zeroes in on the non-dairy category to make a tasty plant-based frozen dessert.


Beverage startup Hangobi raises capital on StartEngine to accelerate growth
Published: 24-11-2022 | 08:35:23 | By: Pie Kamau
Beverage startup Hangobi announced it is raising capital on SearchEngine to expand its footprint beyond NYC,  bringing its healthy drinks to the masses.


Kenyan agritech startup Stable Foods raises $600k funding to grow its climate smart smallholder platform
Published: 22-11-2022 | 10:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Stable Foods, a Kenyan agritech startup offering a host of solutions to small-scale farmers, has raised $600k funding round, to build out its climate smart smallholder food production platform.


Ultra-convenient healthy meals startup Proper Good closes seed funding to bring absurdly delicious products
Published: 14-11-2022 | 15:42:27 | By: Pie Kamau
PROPER GOOD, an ultra-convenient home-delivered food service company that offers nutritious prepared meals made with simple and high quality ingredients, announced the closing of $3.5 million in seed funding.


Chef-led startup meez raises $11.5m to place recipes at the heart of hospitality
Published: 09-11-2022 | 12:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
meez, the first-of-its-kind digital professional recipe tool, announced it has closed a $11.5 million Series A funding round led by Craft Ventures with participation from Struck Capital.


Vienna-based startup Orderlion raises $4m funding to scale the global B2B food supply chain
Published: 03-11-2022 | 10:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vienna-based startup Orderlion announced the successful closing of $4 million in preSeries A funding, including a mix of equity and debt financing, bringing the total amount of investments raised to $7.5 million since the company’s inception.


Georgia-Pacific, gener8tor welcome third cohort of startups to 1915 Studios gBETA accelerator program
Published: 28-10-2022 | 14:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Georgia-Pacific, in partnership with global venture firm and startup accelerator gener8tor, has kicked off its third 1915 Studios gBETA accelerator program.


BreadBot maker Wilkinson Baking Company raises $3m seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 25-10-2022 | 13:52:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Wilkinson Baking Company (WBC), the creator of world's first fully-automated commercial bread baking robot, announced the close of its fully subscribed $3.0 million seed round.


Biotech startup Hoxton Farms raises $22m Series A to cultivate animal fat in new pilot facility in London
Published: 21-10-2022 | 09:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
London-based Hoxton Farms has announced a $22 million Series A round to build a pilot facility for producing cultivated fat: the missing ingredient necessary to make meat alternatives delicious, realistic and versatile.


Wine cellaring startup InVintory closes first $1.5m fundraise led by its community of wine collectors
Published: 19-10-2022 | 12:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
InVintory, a wine cellaring platform, announced it has closed a $1.5 million seed round, with a third of the investment contributed by its own users.


Kenyan start-up unveils diabetic friendly cookies
Published: 12-10-2022 | 11:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Gerassimos Fourlanos, Founder, Ofelos Limited says, the cookies are targeted to consumers with diabetes or pre-diabetes, along with other medical conditions where blood sugar levels need to be monitored.


Paris-based cultivated meat startup Gourmey raises €48m Series A funding to accelerate growth
Published: 11-10-2022 | 14:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
French cultivated meat startup Gourmey, that was part of the Big Idea Ventures program’s first cohort, has raised an oversubscribed €48 million Series A.


Fresh Del Monte partners with tech start-Up Decapolis to provide blockchain traceability solutions
Published: 06-10-2022 | 15:27:00 | By: Bob Koigi
The investment is part of Fresh Del Monte’s technology-driven mission to offer best-in-class, innovative solutions for its products and services, and to provide sustainable solutions that other businesses and industries can benefit from.


FNHIC launches to invest $2.5b in startups improving hunger and health outcomes through food
Published: 28-09-2022 | 11:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
S2G Ventures, Food Systems for the Future and other partners launched the Food, Nutrition and Health Investor Coalition (FNHIC), a call to action to drive $2.5 billion in private investment.


Vendease secures $30m to transform procurement and business operations for restaurants across Africa
Published: 26-09-2022 | 14:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vendease, a Y Combinator-backed digital platform that allows restaurants in Africa to buy supplies, access financial services and power their business operations, has raised $30 million funding round.


India's fruits and vegetables platform Sahyadri Farms raises €40m growth capital to support smallholder farmers
Published: 19-09-2022 | 09:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
India's integrated platform for fruits and vegetables Sahyadri Farms has raised  €40 million growth capital from a group of impact-focused investors; Incofin, Korys, FMO and Proparco.


Swiss foodtech startup Planted raises €70m Series B funding to accelerate international growth
Published: 01-09-2022 | 15:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Swiss foodtech startup Planted, known for its natural biostructured meat made from alternative proteins, announced it has successfully closed its Series B financing round of €70 million.


South African agritech disruptor AgriKool drives down food costs for consumers, increases profits for farmers
Published: 15-08-2022 | 12:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
AgriKool, a South African e-trading platform, is connecting agricultural producers to buyers to facilitate the sale of products between retailers and farmers.


Francisco-based foodtech startup Lypid partners with Louisa Coffee to bring plant based burger patties
Published: 02-08-2022 | 12:55:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Lypid, a global leader in alternative fat, announced its partnership with Louisa Coffee, the largest coffeehouse company in Taiwan, to serve juicy, meaty plant-based burger patties to over 500 shops nationwide.


Healthtech startup Arise raises over $4m to build inclusive eating disorder treatment and mental health support
Published: 12-07-2022 | 15:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Arise, the digital healthcare company enabling comprehensive care for eating disorders, mental health, and long-term healing, has launched after raising over $4 million in a seed funding round.


Israeli biotech food colorant startup Phytolon closes $14.5m funding to accelerate growth
Published: 08-07-2022 | 11:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Phytolon, the developer of fermentation-based natural food colors, announced it has secured $14.5 million Series A funding, led by DSM Venturing, to further progress its technology towards commercialization.


Foodtech venture firm Supply Change closes equity investment from Bank of America
Published: 21-06-2022 | 14:38:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Supply Change Capital, a women and Latina powered venture firm investing in early-stage food technology businesses, announced an equity investment from Bank of America.


Oregon-based Dutch Bros raises $2.3m to help end ALS
Published: 06-06-2022 | 16:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Dutch Bros, a drive-through coffee chain headquartered in Grants Pass, Oregon, announced that together with its customers, raised a record breaking $2.3 million during its 16th annual Drink One for Dane day.


Canadian biotech startup Evolved Meats raises $2m seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 23-05-2022 | 13:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Evolved Meats ("Evolved"; formerly known as CaroMeats), a Canadian biotechnology startup, has raised $2 million in its seed round to accelerate its product development and to support the initial scale up of its production processes.


Nelson Maina: Taming fertilizer prices to boost food security in Kenya
Published: 18-05-2022 | 12:15:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Kenya’s cost of living has hit unprecedented highs with prices of basic commodities being out of reach for many citizens.


Foodtech startup Haofood partners Lawson to accelerate presence in China
Published: 11-05-2022 | 12:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Haofood, a food science and technology startup announced a new partnership with Chinese convenience store Lawson where customers will gain greater access to its products.


Food tech startup Tomorrow Farms raises $8.5m seed round to fuel sustainable food revolution
Published: 09-05-2022 | 10:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Tomorrow Farms, a food technology company on a mission to fuel the sustainable food revolution with irresistible food and beverage brands, announced a $8.5 million seed round led by Lowercarbon Capital and additional key investors.


UPSIDE Foods raises a $400m Series C round to commercialize cultivated meat at scale
Published: 25-04-2022 | 14:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
UPSIDE Foods (formerly Memphis Meats), the company in the cultivated meat, poultry, and seafood industry, announced the close of a $400 million Series C funding round, the largest round in the industry to date.


Plant-based meat startup Nowadays closes $7m seed round to accelerate health-focused chicken
Published: 22-04-2022 | 14:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Health-focused plant-based meat company Nowadays closed its oversubscribed Seed round, raising just shy of $10 million to-date to support commercialization of new plant-based chicken innovation.


U.S.-based food tech startup Yo-Kai Express launches autonomous restaurant platform in Japan
Published: 08-04-2022 | 13:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Yo-Kai Express, a Silicon Valley-based food tech startup announced the official debut of the Yo-Kai Express autonomous restaurant platform in J.R. East Tokyo.


What Africa requires to attain sustainable and effective food systems
Published: 07-04-2022 | 11:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
A variety of factors constrain those who are reliant on farming for their livelihoods – particularly smallholders, including women and youth – from stepping up or stepping in to agriculture.


French insect farming startup Ÿnsect acquires Nebraska-based Jord Producers to open first mealworm farm in the US
Published: 30-03-2022 | 11:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Jord Producers, based in Nebraska, has been incorporated into Ÿnsect’s production portfolio, signifying the global leader’s entry into North American mealworm production.


Plant-based food startup Lypid enters B2B vegan-fat market with $4m seed round to commercialize rich, juicy PhytoFat
Published: 09-03-2022 | 10:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Lypid, creator of vegan fats reported to taste and behave like animal fats, announced it has raised a $4 million seed round led by Green Generation Fund with additional support from Big Idea Ventures.


Food startup Next Gen Foods debuts TiNDLE in the U.S., announces $100m Series A funding round
Published: 28-02-2022 | 14:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Food startup Next Gen Foods announced its first product TiNDLE, now available in a range of iconic restaurants across the East and West Coasts in some of the country's leading "foodie" cities.


Kenyan foodtech startup Kune starts commercial operations in Nairobi
Published: 24-02-2022 | 10:38:05 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan foodtech startup Kune has officially launched commercial operations with four meal hubs located in strategic locations in Nairobi.


CA-based foodtech startup Yali Bio raises $3.9m seed round to advance plant based cultured fat production
Published: 23-02-2022 | 17:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Yali Bio, a CA-based foodtech startup focused on designer fats for plant-based meat and dairy products announced today it has raised a $3.9 million seed round, bringing their total funding to $5 million.


Experts weigh in on Covid’s impact on local food systems
Published: 21-02-2022 | 10:30:00 | By: Bob Koigi


Israeli foodtech startup Plantish unveils whole-cut plant-based salmon fillets
Published: 18-01-2022 | 10:55:38 | By: Pie Kamau
Israeli foodtech startup Plantish is giving consumers a first look at its flagship product, a 100% plant-based whole-cut salmon fillet, which mimics cooked salmon in texture, taste, appearance and structure.


Irish digital food-ordering startup Flipdish raises €87m funding to transform digital consumer experience in hospitality
Published: 13-01-2022 | 12:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Irish digital food-ordering platform Flipdish has become the State’s fifth official home-grown tech unicorn following a new €87 million investment led by global technology company Tencent and Tiger Global.


Israeli foodtech startup Future Meat raises $347 million funding to bolster position in cultivated meat industry
Published: 04-01-2022 | 10:02:23 | By: Bob Koigi
Future Meat Technologies, an Israeli startup developing innovative technology to produce cultivated meat, has announced that it has raised $347 million in Series B round of financing.


African scientists make a case for home grown research on continent’s food systems
Published: 24-12-2021 | 12:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
A storytelling event organized by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), saw four accomplished African researchers working on agriculture and food security share their personal journeys in agricultural research, and discuss how they are working to transform farming on the continent.


REEF acquires foodtech Startup 2ndKitchen
Published: 08-12-2021 | 15:21:10 | By: Bob Koigi
REEF and 2ndKitchen’s existing businesses will be combined under the REEF brand, and will operate under REEF’s Hospitality division.


Estonian startup Gelatex raises €1.2m seed round for affordable and scalable manufactured cell-cultured meat
Published: 26-11-2021 | 10:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Estonian startup Gelatex announced it raised €1.2m seed round for affordable and scalable manufactured cell-cultured meat, making it cheaper than ever.


Kigali-based agriculture startup AflaSight, partners launch innovative projects to improve maize quality in Rwanda
Published: 24-11-2021 | 07:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The World Food Programme, IFC, Kigali-based agriculture startup AflaSight, and research firm Vanguard Economics launched innovative projects to help farmers and grain traders reduce the prevalence of aflatoxins in crops and grains in Rwanda.


Israeli foodtech startup Imagindairy closes $13m seed round to advance animal-free dairy
Published: 23-11-2021 | 08:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Imagindairy, a foodtech company creating milk proteins identical to those from cows, announced completion of a $13 milion seed round, led by MoreVC, a leading seed stage investor in Israel managing $275 million across three funds.


US startup Impossible Foods expands into Australia and New Zealand
Published: 18-11-2021 | 19:29:09 | By: Bob Koigi
California-based Impossible Foods has arrived in Australia and New Zealand, marking the company’s third and fourth international market launches in 14 months.


Healthy dog food delivery startup, Dog Standards, launches in Canada
Published: 18-11-2021 | 19:25:21 | By: Bob Koigi
The company will be one of the first of its kind in Canada to offer human-grade, vet-developed and preservative-free dog food direct-to-consumers across the country.


Tony Elumelu Foundation targets 5,000 African SMEs with entrepreneurship training and funding
Published: 17-11-2021 | 19:02:00 | By: Bob Koigi
The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the philanthropy empowering African entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries, has selected 4,949 entrepreneurs from across Africa for its 2021 Entrepreneurship Programme.


P&G Ventures invites entries for its next Innovation Challenge
Published: 29-10-2021 | 16:05:09 | By: Pie Kamau
P&G Ventures, the early-stage startup studio within Procter & Gamble, announced the call for entries for its next Innovation Challenge.


Biotech startup Shiru closes $17m Series A to develop novel plant-based food ingredients
Published: 28-10-2021 | 09:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Shiru, a biotech startup that identifies and creates novel plant-based ingredients for the global food industry, closed a $17 million Series A round led by S2G Ventures and joined by returning investors Lux Capital, CPT Capital, Y Combinator, and Emles Venture Partners.


Female-founded winery startup BOXT raises $9.35m to expand luxury brand of fine wine offerings
Published: 28-10-2021 | 08:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
BOXT, the female-founded, direct-to-consumer winery, announced it has raised $9.35 million in equity and debt funding to drive the continued expansion of its luxury brand of fine wine offerings.


Start-Up Nation Central signs MoU with TiE to boost technological innovation of Israeli and Indian startups
Published: 07-10-2021 | 11:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Israeli not-for-profit Start-Up Nation Central signed a Memorandum of Understanding with TiE to achieve full implementation of sustainable Israeli and Indian technologies in the foodtech sector.


Industrial automation startup Agtonomy launches out of stealth to address farm labor crisis with $4m seed round
Published: 24-09-2021 | 13:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Agtonomy, a hybrid autonomy and tele-assist service platform, launched out of stealth and announced a $4 million seed round from Grit Ventures, GV (formerly Google Ventures), and Village Global.


Plant-based food startup immi raises $3.8m seed funding to modernize instant ramen
Published: 17-09-2021 | 12:47:00 | By: Pie Kamau
immi, the better-for-you Asian American food brand that launched the world's first low-carb, high-protein, 100% plant-based instant ramen during the pandemic, announced a $3.8 million seed round fundraise led by Siddhi Capital.


Nigerian agritech startup Releaf secures $4.2m funding to drive industrialisation of food processing in Africa
Published: 16-09-2021 | 13:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigeria's agritech startup Releaf, which develops proprietary hardware and software solutions to industrialize food processing, raised $2.7 million in seed funding and grants.


Organic food startup Teatis closes seed funding round to advance production and marketing in the U.S.
Published: 15-09-2021 | 17:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Teatis, makers of superfood powders for diabetic consumers, announces the close of its seed funding round. The science-backed brand that specializes in sugar-blocking teas accrued $700,000 from various high-power angel investors.


Kenyan female entrepreneurs embrace digital platforms to power operations
Published: 09-09-2021 | 11:45:00 | By: Bob Koigi
A group of trailblazing Kenyan women are carving their own paths to success. From doctors to content creators, they are using the power of online platforms to amplify their voices and help others flourish.


Canadian plant-based food innovation startup TMRW Foods raises $2.6m in seed round funding
Published: 08-09-2021 | 12:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TMRW Foods, the growing Canadian plant-based food innovation company, announced a seed round investment of $2.6 million.


Foodtech startup GrubMarket acquires Bartolotta, further expands in Eastern US and Canada
Published: 07-09-2021 | 16:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Food technology startup GrubMarket announced it has completed the acquisition of Bartolotta, a full-service provider of fresh fruits and vegetables to customers in New England, the Mid-Atlantic and Eastern Canada.


Egyptian B2B e-commerce startup MaxAB acquires distribution platform WaystoCap
Published: 25-08-2021 | 13:05:58 | By: Bob Koigi
MaxAB, Egyptian B2B e-commerce platform that serves food and grocery retailers, has acquired WaystoCap, the Morocco-based B2B e-commerce and distribution platform that connects retailers with suppliers across Africa.


Latin American startup Wonder Brands closes $20m seed round for expansion
Published: 13-08-2021 | 14:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Wonder Brands, the company building Latin America's best portfolio of digital brands, closed $20 million in seed financing, led by ALLVP and Mountain Nazca with CoVenture and Victory Park Capital joining to close the round.


Oregon-based startup Marwall launches LunchPod to change how Americans go out to eat
Published: 03-08-2021 | 11:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Oregon-based startup Marwall LLC is releasing the LunchPod, a stainless steel insulated lunch box with custom utensils and a removable, collapsible silicone to-go container with the goal of changing how Americans go out to eat.


Nobell Foods startup raises $75m Series B to introduce cheese made from plants
Published: 28-07-2021 | 15:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nobell Foods startup announced it has raised $75 million to introduce delicious cheeses made from plant-derived dairy proteins, supporting its larger mission of creating a radically more humane and sustainable food system.


UN announces 50 best small business winners providing “Good Food for All”
Published: 27-07-2021 | 11:31:35 | By: Bob Koigi
Fifty small- and medium-sized enterprises around the world have been announced as the Best Small Businesses of the “Good Food for All” competition, held in conjunction with the UN Food Systems Summit.


AI startup LLENA (AI) partners with Southern University to support (USDA/NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative
Published: 29-06-2021 | 14:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
LLENA (AI) Health Solutions, announced a partnership with Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to support their "Center of Excellence for Nutrition, Health, Wellness, and Quality of Life" initiative to address diet-related health disparities.


Food and beverage tech startup Botrista closes $10m Series A to make craft beverages accessible via robotic automation
Published: 29-06-2021 | 14:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Botrista Technology, a company revolutionizing the beverage industry with the Botrista DrinkBot, announced it has raised $10 million in a Series A funding.


Israeli foodtech startup Better Juice raises $8m in seed funding
Published: 23-06-2021 | 13:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Israeli foodtech startup Better Juice, the first company to reduce all sugars from natural juices, announced it has raised $8 million in seed-round investment.


Sustainability-focused pet care startup Petaluma launches plant-based diet for dogs
Published: 16-06-2021 | 11:10:48 | By: Pie Kamau
Petaluma, Inc., a pet care startup focused on sustainability, launched the world's first baked and plant-based formula for adult dogs of all breeds. The company's mission is to offer environmentally responsible diets that meet 100% of a dog's nutritional requirements.


Food startup OZO expands plant-based proteins to international retail starting in Canada
Published: 11-06-2021 | 14:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Planterra Foods, an innovative plant-based protein startup based in Colorado, announced a supply agreement with UNFI Canada, a subsidiary of UNFI, the largest publicly traded grocery distributor in North America.


Cirona Labs startup raises $1.5m in oversubscribed seed round for expansion
Published: 09-06-2021 | 16:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cirona Labs, a premier innovator in cannabinoids and other functional botanical ingredient manufacturing, announced that it closed an oversubscribed $1.5 million seed round led by LiDestri Food & Drink, BevSource, and Sweetener Supply.


The UN Food Systems Best Small Business competition: Startups time to shine
Published: 28-05-2021 | 12:44:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Small businesses around the world that help provide healthy food that is good for the environment, good for their communities and create jobs for people locally are being invited to share ideas and suggestions for how their countries and economies can maximize their positive impact.


On-demand delivery management startup Cartwheel raises $1m seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 13-05-2021 | 12:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cartwheel, an on-demand delivery management platform for restaurants and retailers, announced it has raised a $1 million seed round led by TenOneTen Ventures with participation from Act One Ventures and Portillo's Hot Dogs,


UN launches hunt for startups and enterprises changing the face of food systems
Published: 10-05-2021 | 11:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The UN Food Systems Summit has announced a competition to identify the best small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across the world who are transforming food systems for a better tomorrow.


Rice sector players set for conference on boosting research and inclusivity
Published: 07-05-2021 | 17:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Rice sector players in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia are set to lead discussions on accelerating progress in rice research & development, inclusive markets & value chains.


The Batchery introduces next wave of innovative startups in Berkeley, California
Published: 06-05-2021 | 11:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Batchery announced its 12th Demo Day featuring eleven early-stage startups from the Berkeley-based incubator's intensive Deep Dive program.


Foodtech startup GrubMarket acquires Vaccaro & Sons to expand to St. Louis, Missouri
Published: 05-05-2021 | 13:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
San Francisco-based food technology startup GrubMarket announced it has completed the acquisition of Vaccaro & Sons in St. Louis, Missouri.


CVS Health launches $100m venture fund
Published: 30-04-2021 | 13:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
CVS Health announced the launch of CVS Health Ventures, a dedicated corporate venture capital fund that will invest in and partner with high-potential, early-stage companies focused on making health care more accessible, affordable, and simpler.


Fintech startup Trust Payment expands into Ireland
Published: 30-04-2021 | 13:12:41 | By: Pie Kamau
Trust Payment has expanded into Ireland. The payments technology group will open an office in Dublin city centre as it seeks to benefit from local talent and rapid growth in the country's Fintech sector.


i2020 Accelerator announces new investments in cancer, inflammation and neurology-focused therapeutics
Published: 30-04-2021 | 13:00:00 | By: Pie Kamau
i2020, an accelerator program backed by the San Diego-based venture company Torrey Pines Investment, announced multiple startup and follow-on investment rounds together with OrbiMed.


Biotech startup ResBiotic raises $3m seed round, announces leadership team
Published: 30-04-2021 | 12:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
University of Alabama at Birmingham's biotech startup ResBiotic, announced a $3 million seed round to support the development and commercialization of groundbreaking probiotic formulations for lung health.


South Korean Government attracts global startups with its acceleration program K-Startup Grand Challenge 2021
Published: 30-04-2021 | 12:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Startups from around the world are now able to apply to K-Startup Grand Challenge 2021, South Korea's government-backed global acceleration program.


UN targets startups transforming food systems in new competition
Published: 30-04-2021 | 10:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The UN Food Systems Summit has announced a competition to identify the best small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across the world who are transforming food systems for a better tomorrow.


[Startup Interview] Paul Foley, CEO, CTEX Markets, UK
Published: 30-04-2021 | 08:17:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Some of the services it offers include trade routing, price aggregation, AI based market analysis and reporting solutions.


Lacuna Fund announces second round of funding to projects supporting Natural Language Processing technologies Across Africa
Published: 29-04-2021 | 16:13:59 | By: Pie Kamau
The partner organisations behind Lacuna Fund implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, announced the second cohort of supported projects.


Fintech startup Splitwise raises $20m Series A funding to accelerate global customer growth
Published: 29-04-2021 | 10:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Splitwise Inc, an interpersonal finance app for sharing expenses with friends and family, announced the raise of $20 million in Series A funding led by global venture capital and private equity firm, Insight Partners.


Logistics startup Logixboard raises $13m Series A funding to power the future of modern freight forwarding
Published: 29-04-2021 | 10:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Logixboard, the modern customer experience platform for freight forwarders, closed a $13 million investment led by Redpoint Ventures, with continued participation from Social Leverage, F-Prime Capital, Founders Co-op, Techstars Ventures, and others.


Insurtech startup Branch Insurance expands home and auto coverage to Colorado and Oklahoma States
Published: 29-04-2021 | 10:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Branch Insurance, the startup that pioneered bundling home and auto insurance online, announced its expansion to Colorado and Oklahoma States.


Israeli customer intelligence startup Affogata raises $5.5m seed funding to bring consumer's voice to customer-obsessed brands
Published: 29-04-2021 | 09:57:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Affogata, the customer intelligence platform enabling brands to harness data to guarantee their consumers a perfect experience, announced a $5.5 million financing round of seed funding co-led by Mangrove Capital Partners.


Danish biotech startup Adcendo raises €51m to advance novel antibody-drug conjugates for cancers treatment
Published: 29-04-2021 | 09:37:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Adcendo, a biotech company developing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of cancers, announced the successful closing of €51 million Series A financing to advance novel antibody-drug conjugates for treatment of cancers.


Israeli enterprise AI startup BeyondMinds joins NVIDIA Inception
Published: 28-04-2021 | 17:00:12 | By: Pie Kamau
BeyondMinds, the enterprise AI startup that has built the first universally applicable and easily adaptable AI platform providing production-grade AI solutions at rapid speed, announced it has joined NVIDIA Inception.


Suntory America, Runway partner to scout, engage and invest in startups
Published: 28-04-2021 | 16:47:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Runway Innovation Hub, a Silicon Valley innovation consulting company, announced its partnership with Suntory America, one of the world's consumer products companies.


IoT startup Hologram hires Mike Georgoff as Chief Product Officer
Published: 28-04-2021 | 16:39:27 | By: Pie Kamau
Hologram, a global cellular platform for IoT, announced it hired Mike Georgoff this month as its first Chief Product Officer as the organization continues its growth.


UCM Digital Health startup raises $5.5m Series A funding
Published: 28-04-2021 | 16:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
UCM Digital Health, a provider of emergency telemedicine and virtual care solutions, announced it has completed a $5.5 million series A funding round led by Armory Square Ventures (ASV).


Digital fertility startup Legacy partners with Carrot Fertility to expand access to male fertility care
Published: 28-04-2021 | 16:04:23 | By: Pie Kamau
Legacy, the premier digital fertility clinic for men, announced a new partnership with the global fertility benefits provider for employers, Carrot Fertility.


Accenture invests in Nigerian fintech startup Okra
Published: 27-04-2021 | 15:47:20 | By: Pie Kamau
Accenture announced an investment, through Accenture Ventures, in Nigeria-based fintech company Okra, an open finance data infrastructure startup serving the rapidly expanding African financial services market.


Dating app startup So Syncd raises $1m seed round to grow its user base in the US
Published: 27-04-2021 | 12:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
So Syncd, the dating app that matches compatible personality types, raised a seed round of $1 million to grow its user base in the US.


EventHub startup closes pre-seed round to revolutionize event sponsorship
Published: 27-04-2021 | 11:45:28 | By: Pie Kamau
EventHub officially closed its pre-seed round as the company prepares to scale up customer adoption of its sponsorship platform. The round was led by Pasadena Angels and Emerging Ventures from the LA area as well as Seattle-based Accellius Capital.


Detroit-based fintech startup Signal Advisors raises $16m to build end-to-end platform for independent financial advisors
Published: 27-04-2021 | 11:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Signal Advisors, a tech-enabled distributor of annuities and life insurance, announced a $10 million Series A led by General Catalyst, which closed in December 2020.


Data transformation startup Veryfi raises Series A to unlock unstructured data power
Published: 27-04-2021 | 10:38:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Veryfi, an AI-based data transformation platform for enterprise and technology corporations, announced a $12 million Series A financing round led by NewView Capital.


Plug and Play Korea launches in Seoul
Published: 27-04-2021 | 10:20:47 | By: Pie Kamau
Global innovation platform, Plug and Play, announced the launch of its new office in Seoul, Korea, to primarily focus on corporate innovation in the areas of Financial Services and Smart Cities and expects to expand to other industries in the future.


Insurtech startup Brella raises $15m Series A for national expansion of supplemental health insurance solution
Published: 26-04-2021 | 14:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Brella Insurance announced it has raised a $15 million Series A funding round led by Brewer Lane Ventures to bring Brella's modern supplemental health solution to employers nationwide.


Homebuilding startup Higharc raises $21m Series A to aid in recruiting, building out engineering functions
Published: 26-04-2021 | 14:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Higharc, the all-in-one homebuilding platform for design, sales, and construction, announced it raised $21 million in Series A funding, led by Spark Capital.


Telehealth startup PursueCare raises over $11m in Series A1, A2 financing
Published: 26-04-2021 | 13:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
PursueCare, a telehealth addiction treatment startup, announced an oversubscribed $7 million Series A2 capital raise, bringing its total Series A round to north of $11 million.


Bechtel partners with climatetech startup incubator Greentown Labs to drive energy transition in Houston
Published: 26-04-2021 | 13:30:43 | By: Pie Kamau
Bechtel announced partnership with Greentown Labs in Houston, the city's first-ever climatetech startup incubator, to drive energy transition in Houston.


U.S.-based food tech startup Yo-Kai Express expands partnerships with Japan
Published: 26-04-2021 | 13:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
While restaurants and small businesses everywhere have struggled to survive the pandemic, U.S.-based foodtech startup Yo-Kai Express (YKE) has leveraged its technology and ideas to evolve and transform its business models to broader platforms.


Kenyan e-mobility startup Ecobodaa secures funding from Persistent Energy Capital
Published: 23-04-2021 | 09:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Persistent Energy Capital announced a strategic venture building investment and partnership with Ecobodaa, a pioneer e-mobility startup, leading the revolution of the electric motorbike taxi (bodaboda) in Kenya.


Insurtech startup OKO raises $1.2m to bring innovative insurance to smallholder farmers across Africa
Published: 23-04-2021 | 09:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
OKO, an insurtech startup that provides inclusive agricultural insurance to secure farmers’ income across Africa, closed a seed investment round of $1.2 million, led by Newfund and ResiliAnce.


UK-based startup Cquestr8 raises $300k seed capital to develop safe & permanent carbon sequestration solution
Published: 22-04-2021 | 13:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cquestr8, 2020 winners of the Climate-KIC's ClimateLaunchpad "Next Big Thing" prize, has secured funding to develop their unique carbon sequestration solution, leveraging natural processes to safely lock away CO2 as stable ocean bicarbonate.


Autonomous air cargo startup MightyFly raises $5.1 million seed funding to revolutionize logistics
Published: 22-04-2021 | 13:37:00 | By: Pie Kamau
MightyFly, an autonomous air cargo carrier, announced it has closed $5.1 million in seed funding, including investments from 500 Startups, At One Ventures, Global Founders Capital, Graph Ventures, and Halogen Ventures.


Plug and Play launches maritime innovation platform in Antwerp, Belgium
Published: 22-04-2021 | 13:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Global innovation platform, Plug and Play, together with Founding Partners City of Antwerp, CMB, DXC Technology, Euronav, and Port of Antwerp, announced the launch of their first maritime program in Antwerp, Belgium.


Medical device startup Nanodropper completes $1.4m seed funding round
Published: 21-04-2021 | 13:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nanodropper, a medical device company offering a first-of-its-kind eyedrop bottle adaptor that reduces eyedrop size, completed a $1.4 million seed round.


Meeting Automation startup Chili Piper gets spicy with $33m from Tiger Global
Published: 21-04-2021 | 13:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Chili Piper, the advanced routing and scheduling solution for revenue teams, announced it has raised a $33 million "Series Spicy" led by Tiger Global with participation from existing investors Base10 Partners and Gradient Ventures.


Fact.MR redefines the way startups access market research
Published: 21-04-2021 | 12:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The number one reason for startup failure isn't lack of funding or stiff competition. The main reason is 'misreading market demand'. Therefore, it becomes important for startups to thoroughly research the market.


Atlanta-based startups GROUNDFLOOR and PadSplit team up to create affordable housing
Published: 21-04-2021 | 12:38:57 | By: Pie Kamau
GROUNDFLOOR, a wealthtech platform that allows everyone to build wealth through real estate, and PadSplit, a mission-driven marketplace that helps solve the affordable housing crisis, are teaming up to create hundreds of new affordable housing units.


Subscription Management startup Chargebee raises $125m Series G funding to accelerate global shift to subscriptions
Published: 21-04-2021 | 12:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Chargebee, the subscription billing and revenue management platform, announced a fresh round of $125 million in series G funding, co-led by new investor Sapphire Ventures and existing investors Tiger Global and Insight Venture Partners.


Nigerian last-mile delivery startup Kwik Delivery releases Prestashop plugin
Published: 20-04-2021 | 10:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
After the release of its plugins for Shopify and Magento, Kwik Delivery has released its plugin for Prestashop.


Twenty-two startups join second cohort of UNICEF StartUp Lab in Ghana
Published: 20-04-2021 | 10:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
UNICEF announced the launch of the 2021 cohort of the UNICEF StartUp Lab, a co-creation space and accelerator, that engages young startups in the development of innovative, open-source, market-driven products and solutions.


New York-based startup Andela announces global engineering talent expansion
Published: 20-04-2021 | 09:53:34 | By: Pie Kamau
New York-based startup Andela, the global talent network that helps companies build remote engineering teams, announced the global expansion of its engineering talent.


Kenyan logistics startup Amitruck and Sky.Garden announce last mile goods pick-up and deliveries partnership
Published: 20-04-2021 | 09:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Logistics platform Amitruck and e-Commerce platform Sky.Garden have partnered to form an end-to-end digital chain for goods pick-up and deliveries to the last mile.


Grindstone accelerator programme opens applications for South African startups
Published: 20-04-2021 | 09:36:42 | By: Pie Kamau
Applications for this year’s Grindstone’s accelerator programme are now open. Grindstone is an equity-free structured entrepreneurship development programme that assists high-growth innovation-driven SMEs in South Africa.


InnovoEdge joins Microsoft for Startups program
Published: 16-04-2021 | 09:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
InnovoEdge, an AI-powered multi-cloud and edge application orchestration company, announced it has joined the Microsoft for Startups program, which is designed to help business to business (B2B) startups scale with access to technology.


Climatetech startup Persefoni raises $9.7m in Series A funding round
Published: 16-04-2021 | 09:35:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Persefoni, an intelligent carbon accounting and management platform for enterprises and investors, announced it has raised $9.7 million in its Series A financing round. Rice Investment Group led the round, with participation from NGP ETP and Sallyport Investments.


Ideal Semiconductor startup announces investment from Applied Ventures
Published: 16-04-2021 | 09:23:09 | By: Pie Kamau
Ideal Semiconductor, a startup company that has successfully demonstrated a fundamentally new technology for energy conversion in electronic systems, announced it has received funding from Applied Ventures, LLC, the venture capital arm of Applied Materials.


Chicago-based medtech startup Neopenda announces new round of convertible note financing
Published: 16-04-2021 | 09:12:55 | By: Pie Kamau
Neopenda, a Chicago-based public benefit corporation, announced a new round of funding supported by Assiduity Capital and Sorenson Impact Foundation, and the CE Mark approval of its neoGuard device.


Wynden Stark acquires NYC venture-backed tech startup untapt
Published: 16-04-2021 | 09:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Wynden Stark has acquired NYC venture-backed tech startup untapt, bringing in-house a world-class team of Data Scientists and Software Engineers.


SWARM Engineering startup raises $2.7m in seed funding led by S2G Ventures and Serra Ventures
Published: 16-04-2021 | 08:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SWARM Engineering, the next generation of cognitive software for the food supply chain, announced it closed funding for a $2.7 million seed round.


Healthtech startup DignifiHealth raises $7m seed round, scaling it nationally for improved community health outcomes
Published: 16-04-2021 | 08:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
DignifiHealth, a company that has integrated leading digital health technologies with its proprietary big-data intelligence platform, raised $7 million in seed funding to scale delivery of its revolutionary suite of healthcare products on a national scale.


South African digital health startup Quro Medical secures $1.1m seed funding to accelerate growth
Published: 15-04-2021 | 15:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Quro Medical, a South African digital health startup, emerged from stealth mode to announce the closure of its seed funding round to accelerate growth for Africa’s first technology-driven Hospital at Home offering.


Virtual health startup OpenLoop closes oversubscribed $3m seed round
Published: 15-04-2021 | 10:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
OpenLoop, a virtual health company based in Des Moines, Iowa, announced its oversubscribed seed round financing of $3 million.


Phantom Space Corporation startup raises $5m seed funding to revolutionize space transportation
Published: 15-04-2021 | 10:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Phantom Space Corporation, a space transportation technology development and manufacturing company, announced the raise of $5 million in seed investment funding to make space commerce commonplace and to lower the barriers to space access.


Legacy startup raises $10m Series A to make male fertility services accessible to all
Published: 15-04-2021 | 09:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Legacy, the premier digital fertility clinic for men, announced $10 million in Series A fundraising led by FirstMark Capital.


Silicon Valley startup Chef Avenue crosses 1000% of its funding goal in 8 days
Published: 15-04-2021 | 09:21:18 | By: Pie Kamau
Chef Avenue, an inspiring startup at the forefront of the design of modernized, high-performance cookware, is currently riding the wave of a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign for its first product, Omnipan.


Finnish biotech startup Carbo Culture sets to remove 1billion tons of carbon from atmosphere by 2030
Published: 15-04-2021 | 09:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Carbo Culture, a biotech startup commercialising large-scale carbon removal, has a north star vision to remove 1 billion tons (1Gt) of carbon from the atmosphere by 2030.


Colorado-based startup Trūman Rx launches to expand access to testosterone therapy
Published: 14-04-2021 | 11:03:53 | By: Pie Kamau
In an effort to increase access to testosterone replacement therapy for men, Colorado-based startup Trūman Rx (Trūman) is launching an online, innovative telehealth service for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).


EdCraft startup raises $1m pre-seed round to expand its edtech platform in the U.S.
Published: 14-04-2021 | 10:52:00 | By: Pie Kamau
EdCraft, an early education platform launched by former McKinsey executives, raised $1 million from a group of Silicon Valley based angels. The startup aims to equip its students, aged 6-13, with essential 21st-century skills.


Fintech startup Wage secures $5m to scale credential-less payroll data API
Published: 14-04-2021 | 10:37:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Wage, an infrastructure software solution that lets people seamlessly and securely share their payroll data with third parties, announced the close of $5 million in funding to scale customer acquisition and support additional payroll data partnerships.


Grow-NY startup business competition kicks off year 3
Published: 14-04-2021 | 10:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The application window for the 2021 Grow-NY million-dollar top prize business competition is now open for submissions. Grow-NY, a unique initiative which connects innovators and investors in the food, beverage and agriculture.


Plug and Play Cleveland selects six startups into the Spring 2021 Health Program
Published: 14-04-2021 | 10:03:35 | By: Pie Kamau
Plug and Play Cleveland has announced the selection of 6 new startups into the Spring 2021 Health Program. These startups were selected with input from Plug and Play's corporate partners.


Cincinnati startups Abre and Pay Theory partner to transform education
Published: 13-04-2021 | 15:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Abre.io (Abre), and Pay Theory announced their partnership to help them better achieve their shared mission of breaking down socioeconomic and technical barriers to education.


Chicago-based venture capital firm Starting Line closes $30m second fund to continue funding consumer startups
Published: 13-04-2021 | 15:10:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Starting Line, the Chicago-based venture capital firm, announced that it has closed $30 million for its second fund, dedicated to expanding access to technologies, products, and experiences for the 99 percent of Americans.


HawkEye 360 secures $55m Series C funding round to support expansion of satellite startup's infrastructure
Published: 13-04-2021 | 14:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
HawkEye 360, the global commercial provider of space-based radio frequency (RF) data and analytics, announced it has secured $55 million in additional funding, bringing its total raised to over $155 million.


Energy Transition Ventures launches first venture capital fund in Texas dedicated to energy transition
Published: 13-04-2021 | 14:21:14 | By: Pie Kamau
Energy Transition Ventures (ETV) has launched as the first venture fund in Texas exclusively dedicated to investing in energy transition technologies.


Indian fintech startup Avanti raises $26m in Series A funding round to further invest in its digital tech platform
Published: 13-04-2021 | 11:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Indian fintech company Avanti Finance (Avanti) secured $26 million in debt and equity from Oikocredit, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Nomura and the family office of Pratul Shroff.


Berkeley-based incubator Batchery announces new cohort of startups, "Batch 12"
Published: 12-04-2021 | 14:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Eleven early-stage startups have joined the Batchery's three-month Deep Dive program for entrepreneurs. The program focuses on helping startups get over their first set of growth hurdles.


Lithium-ion battery recycling and manufacturing startup Battery Resourcers raises $20m Series B funding
Published: 12-04-2021 | 13:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Battery Resourcers, a vertically integrated lithium-ion battery recycling and manufacturing company, completed a $20 million Series B equity round.


Pan-African fintech platform Appzone secures $10m Series A funding
Published: 12-04-2021 | 13:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Appzone, the Pan-African fintech software provider building proprietary solutions for the continent’s banking and payments industries, announced the close of its $10 million Series A round.


Kigali-based electric mobility startup Ampersand raises $3.5m from EIF
Published: 12-04-2021 | 12:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kigali based electric motorcycle startup Ampersand has raised $3.5 million in funding from the Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF) to rapidly scale its electric motorcycle and swap station network in Rwanda.


Solar home systems startup Baobab+ raises €4m to expand in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal
Published: 12-04-2021 | 12:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Solar home systems social enterprise startup Baobab+ has raised €4 million in financing for the expansion of its activities in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.


[Startup Interview] PJF Schmidt, Lucas Brosi, Marcus Luer, Urs Meier, Founders, Heroes AG, Switzerland
Published: 09-04-2021 | 17:31:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Heroes AG is a Swiss startup that has tapped into the underdeveloped fan merchandising sector through distribution of modern and trendy lifestyle products.


Virtual hospitality startup Vin Social announces launch of equity crowdfunding campaign
Published: 09-04-2021 | 11:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Virtual hospitality startup Vin Social announced its first-ever equity crowdfunding campaign in partnership with Wefunder and the Arora Project.


LineVision startup secures $12.5m in Series B financing to scale grid enhancing technology
Published: 09-04-2021 | 11:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
LineVision, the provider of non-contact overhead power line sensor solutions to monitor, optimize, and protect critical energy delivery infrastructure, announced the closing of its Series B financing round, raising $12.5 million to accelerate growth.


Empathy startup raises $13m seed round to help minimize burdens after losing a loved one
Published: 09-04-2021 | 10:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Empathy, a platform helping families navigate the journey they face after losing a loved one, announced the launch of its application on iOS and Android for users across the United States.


Cyber security startup Calamu raises $2.4m seed to pioneer auto-healing data protection
Published: 09-04-2021 | 09:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Calamu, a data protection and resiliency trailblazer, announced it has emerged from stealth after closing $2.4 million in an oversubscribed seed round.


dClimate raises $3.5m seed round to create first decentralized network for climate data
Published: 09-04-2021 | 09:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
dClimate, the first decentralized network for climate data, announced the closing of an oversubscribed $3.5 Million seed financing round led by CoinFund, with participation from Multicoin Capital and Republic Labs.


Fintech startup Marquee Equity helps Qolo.io close its seed round
Published: 08-04-2021 | 17:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Marquee Equity, a fintech platform, has helped a Florida-based B2B Payments company, Qolo.io, close its seed round.


MicroAcquire's acquisition of Exitround sets new founder-friendly model for getting acquired
Published: 08-04-2021 | 17:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Entrepreneurs face thousands of obstacles in their careers. Seed money, growth, staffing - the list is endless. Some prioritize funding, leaving them bound to venture capitalists whose goals clash with theirs.


Martech startup Ziflow raises $6m in expansion funding to meet growing demand for creative collaboration
Published: 08-04-2021 | 17:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ziflow, industry's player in creative review and approval solution for agencies and brands, announced the raise of $6 million expansion round, led by Companyon Ventures.


AI startup Oxia Palus enables first hidden masterpiece on canvas, long lost behind a Pablo Picasso
Published: 08-04-2021 | 16:23:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Oxia Palus, a new-age company dedicated to using artificial intelligence to resurrect the world's most important lost artwork, announced it has recreated on canvas, the first masterpiece of another era, one lost for nearly 120 years.


Omaha-based startup Workshop raises $3.5m to simplify employee communications
Published: 07-04-2021 | 17:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Workshop, a delightful platform for sharing and finding important internal information, has raised a $3.5 million seed round.


AI video game wagering startup PLLAY secures additional $1m in funding
Published: 07-04-2021 | 16:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
PLLAY, a skill-based video game wagering platform, has raised an additional $1 million in funding, bringing its total to $4 million in an oversubscribed seed round.


Fintech startup ROSHI to disrupt billion dollar home loan industry in Singapore
Published: 07-04-2021 | 16:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Touted as a disrupter in financial comparison, ROSHI plans to provide Singapore with a first to market home loan marketplace, which connects customers.


Scottish hospitality software startup Stampede launches Prep Starts Now campaign to reopen, digitise and grow hospitality businesses
Published: 07-04-2021 | 16:14:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Stampede, the Scottish hospitality software startup announced the launch of its Prep Starts Now campaign, with support from Visit Scotland and more than ten hospitality / tech organisations.


Cannabis ERP technology platform BLAZE raises $8m in Series A funding for market expansion
Published: 06-04-2021 | 16:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
BLAZE, the industry player enterprise resource planning and point of sale platform for legal cannabis, recently closed its Series A funding round at $8 million.


Grata expands seed funding round to $9.5m to accelerate growth of SMB search engine
Published: 06-04-2021 | 15:47:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Grata, the search engine for discovering small to middle market private companies, announced it expanded its seed round to $9.5 million.


Japanese startup Paidy raises $120m in Series D round
Published: 06-04-2021 | 15:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Paidy Inc., Japan's "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) service provider, announced it completed the Series D round of funding, raising a total of $120 million.


Innovative startup Glo brightens product line with Sesame Street characters
Published: 06-04-2021 | 15:23:00 | By: Pie Kamau
What began as a college senior project has led to an innovative startup company working with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, to light up lives through creativity and technology.


Spirits and technology startup Endless West secures $21m in Series B funding
Published: 06-04-2021 | 15:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Spirits and technology startup Endless West, announced it has raised $21 million in Series B funding, for a total of $33.7 million in investments to-date.


iFoodDS closes $15m in growth funding led by scaleup investor Insight Partners
Published: 25-03-2021 | 11:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
iFoodDS, provider of food safety, traceability, and quality management solutions for the fresh food supply chain, announced the close of a $15 million Series A funding round led by Insight Partners.


VERSO Capital successfully closes series seed in NITRO Beverage
Published: 11-03-2021 | 10:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
VERSO Capital, the Luxembourg-based boutique merchant banking and financial services firm, announced the successful closing of a series seed in Nitro Beverage Inc.


Dog food startup KetoNatural Pet Foods raises $2m in seed financing transaction
Published: 08-03-2021 | 14:35:00 | By: Pie Kamau
KetoNatural Pet Foods, a pet food startup founded by companion animal nutrition author and activist Daniel Schulof, announced the closing of a $2 million seed financing transaction led by Chicago-based fund Corazon Capital.


Plug and Play announces 98 startups for its Spring 2021 Batches
Published: 05-03-2021 | 10:35:37 | By: Pie Kamau
Plug and Play has accepted 98 startups into its Spring 2021 Batches. Startups have been selected for one of the following programs that run through May: Brand & Retail, Food & Beverage, Media & Advertising, New Materials & Packaging, Supply Chain, or Sustainability.


Lux Research names top food and agriculture startups of 2020
Published: 26-02-2021 | 10:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
In recent years, the majority of growth in the food and beverage industry has gone to companies outside the top 20 players, with smaller and more agile brands capitalizing on the demand for personalized products.


Tech startup DineSafe offers new tools for restaurants and consumers alike
Published: 12-02-2021 | 10:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
A new platform DineSafe, is helping individual restaurants show potential customers the many ways they're keeping customers and employees safe.


Plant-based meat startup New Age Meats announces $2m in seed extension prior to Series A
Published: 11-02-2021 | 09:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
New Age Meats (NAM), a cultivated and plant-based meat startup in Berkeley, CA with an initial focus on pork, announced an additional $2 million in Seed extension, adding to funds raised post-Seed announced late last year.


Food Tech Studio - Bites! unveils 85 startups from across the world to participate in its innovation program
Published: 04-02-2021 | 15:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Scrum Ventures announced the list of startups chosen to participate in its Food Tech Studio - Bites!, a global program aimed to solve the key challenges plaguing our food supply chain today, including (but not limited to) safety, waste reduction, and health.


Canadian tech startup Vegano disrupts meal-kit delivery services market
Published: 29-01-2021 | 14:47:42 | By: Pie Kamau
Vegano, Canada's first plant-based meal-kit delivery service, is helping Canadians take plant-based living beyond Veganuary. Following its official launch on January 4, 2021, Vegano has delivered over 800 meals.


Agritech startup Bear Flag Robotics raises $7.9m seed extension round
Published: 25-01-2021 | 14:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bear Flag Robotics announced a $7.9 million seed extension funding round led by True Ventures. The Silicon Valley-based agritech company is developing autonomous technology for farm tractors, which enables growers to increase productivity.


Food and beverage analyst Bryan Hunt joins Relevance Ventures as Senior Investment Manager
Published: 21-01-2021 | 10:22:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Relevance Ventures, the Native American privately owned and operated venture capital firm, announced that Bryan Hunt, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), is joining the firm as a Senior Investment Manager.


Indian food and grocery e-commerce startup Jumbotail secures $14.2m Series B3 funding from VII Ventures
Published: 18-01-2021 | 16:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
India's food and grocery e-commerce and new retail platform Jumbotail secured a $14.2 million Series B3 funding from VII Ventures (Seven Ventures).


Food-tech startup CookUnity secures $15.5m in Series A funding for expansion
Published: 14-01-2021 | 10:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
CookUnity, the Brooklyn-based food-tech company that introduced the first direct Chef-to-Consumer meal subscription platform, announced the closing of a $15.5 million Series A investment round.


Delivery Hero launches venture capital fund to drive innovation in food delivery
Published: 13-01-2021 | 14:25:01 | By: Bob Koigi
Delivery Hero, the world’s delivery platform, has announced the launch of DX Ventures, an independently managed early-stage venture capital fund with a focus on investing in disruptive founder-led companies.


Gut-health nutrition startup Muniq raises $8.2m Series A investment round
Published: 13-01-2021 | 12:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Muniq, the innovative consumer health and food-tech brand created by Marc Washington, founder and CEO of Uplifting Results Labs, announced the closing of a $8.2 million Series A investment round.


New Wave Foods completes $18m Series A financing to focus on plant based Shrimp and sustainable shellfish
Published: 08-01-2021 | 09:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
New Wave Foods announced the completion of $18 million Series A round of financing, led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA) along with Evolution VC Partners, as well as other new and existing investors.


Peels Citrus CBD startup secures $4m Investment from KarpReilly
Published: 08-01-2021 | 08:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
CBD startup Citrus CBD Industries (Peels), launched the first nationwide CBD brand made from oranges led by Founder & CEO Chris Hetherington.


Biotech startup TurtleTree Labs raises $6.2m in Pre-A funding round
Published: 17-12-2020 | 15:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TurtleTree Labs, a biotech company pioneering the method to produce milk using cell-based technology, announced the close of an oversubscribed $6.2 million Pre-A funding round from new and existing global investors.


Plug and Play launches new office in Chicago, Illinois
Published: 11-12-2020 | 13:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Global innovation platform, Plug and Play, announced its newest location in Chicago, Illinois, to focus on connecting startups, corporations, and investors working on innovating the food and beverage industry.


Nigerian logistics startup Kobo360, IFC invite for innovative cooling solution projects in Nigeria
Published: 09-12-2020 | 08:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, in partnership with Kobo360, an African digital logistics platform, announced an open call for innovators from around the world to bring climate-smart, temperature-controlled logistics (TCL) cooling solutions to Nigeria.


Nili Capital Partners acquires fresh produce packaging startup StePac
Published: 08-12-2020 | 11:08:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Fresh produce packaging specialists StePac L.A., Ltd. has been acquired by Nili Capital Partners, an Israeli private equity fund.


Pet supply startup Petpal raises capital via equity crowdfunding to expand e-Commerce operations in India
Published: 01-12-2020 | 12:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Pet supply startup Petpal has developed a one-stop platform for pet owners to get the food, medicine, and accessories they need to keep their pets happy and healthy.


Food & beverage e-commerce startup Feast & Fettle raises $1.2m to expand into Massachusetts and Connecticut
Published: 24-11-2020 | 13:10:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Feast & Fettle, a premium, fully-prepared meal delivery service based out of Rhode Island, announced the closing of a $1.2 million Seed round led by Salem Capital Management.


Mondelēz International invests in Israel foodtech startup Torr
Published: 19-11-2020 | 13:38:33 | By: Bob Koigi
SnackFutures, Mondelēz International’s innovation and venture hub dedicated to unlocking emerging snacking opportunities around the world, has made a seed investment in Torr, an early stage Israeli Foodtech Company.


Dairy snack startups compete for $200,000 in Real California Milk Snackcelerator
Published: 13-11-2020 | 12:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ice cream infused with vegetables, to-go premium cheese snacks, decadent chocolate mousse and flavored paneer make up the finalists announced in the Real California Milk Snackcelerator product innovation competition.


Peer-to-peer solar leasing startup Sun Exchange announces African expansion in Zimbabwe
Published: 11-11-2020 | 15:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African peer-to-peer solar leasing startup Sun Exchange marked its official expansion into sub-Saharan Africa with the first of three crowdsales for a multiphase, 1.9 megawatt (MW) solar-plus-storage project for Nhimbe Fresh.


Chicago startup qReveal launches affordable QR code menu and price list solution
Published: 10-11-2020 | 12:31:56 | By: Pie Kamau
Responding to the challenging scene of a myriad of health and safety protocols facing restaurants and other businesses, Chicago startup qReveal has launched a platform that builds easy to use QR code menus and price lists.


Dutch foodtech startup The Protein Brewery raises €22 million for expansion
Published: 07-11-2020 | 13:15:00 | By: Bob Koigi
The Protein Brewery, a Netherlands innovative developer of protein-rich food ingredients has announced that it has raised a €22 million Series A investment, bringing its total funding to date to € 26 million.


Next-generation consumer products startup The Naked Market closes $6m seed funding round
Published: 02-11-2020 | 15:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Naked Market, San Francisco-based CPG brand, has closed $6 million seed funding round, with participation from several investors.


Nestlé USA acquires food delivery startup Freshly
Published: 02-11-2020 | 15:11:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nestlé announced it has acquired food delivery startup Freshly, fresh-prepared meal delivery services in the U.S. The deal values Freshly at $950 million, with potential earnouts up to $550 million contingent to the successful growth of the business.


Toyota AI Ventures invests in Canadian robotic kitchen startup YPC Technologies
Published: 21-10-2020 | 11:50:09 | By: Pie Kamau
Toyota AI Ventures, Toyota's early-stage venture capital fund, announced its investment in YPC Technologies, a robotic kitchen startup based in Montreal, Canada.


Lunchbox partners with Sodexo and Kiwibot for contactless food delivery
Published: 14-10-2020 | 13:40:06 | By: Bob Koigi
Lunchbox, has partnerered with Sodexo and delivery robot startup Kiwibot, to facilitate autonomous and contactless food delivery across the University of Denver (UD) for students.


Rabobank unveils 45 food & agriculture startups selected for FoodBytes! Pitch 2020
Published: 07-10-2020 | 12:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Rabobank unveiled the 45 startups selected to participate in FoodBytes! Pitch 2020, its global food and ag startup discovery program that helps entrepreneurs scale their impact through mentorship and connections to corporate leaders and investors.


French baby food startup Yooji raises €7.5 million funding to boost operations
Published: 30-09-2020 | 15:59:39 | By: Bob Koigi
French-based baby-food company Yooji has secured €7.5 million funding to make highly nutritional and sustainable baby food easily accessible to parents.


S2G Ventures, CDPQ announce funding for startups in sustainable food business
Published: 30-09-2020 | 15:55:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and S2G Ventures (S2G) have announced creation of a co-investment partnership that will target ventures that aim to make the food and agriculture industry more sustainable.


Scrum Ventures launches Food Tech Studio - Bites!
Published: 30-09-2020 | 15:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Scrum Ventures announced the launch of Food Tech Studio - Bites!, a global community of stage-agnostic startups who share a common vision of solving key challenges plaguing food supply chain.


Dutch food tech startup Mosa Meat receives $55 million to expand operations
Published: 29-09-2020 | 16:03:52 | By: Bob Koigi
Mosa Meat, a Dutch food technology startup which introduced the world’s first cultured beef hamburger in 2013, announced the first closing of $55 million as part of a larger Series B funding round.


German urban farming startup Infarm raises $170m to grow urban vertical farming network in the world
Published: 18-09-2020 | 13:22:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Infarm, German urban farming network announced $170 million investment raised in the first close of a Series C funding round expected to reach $200 million.


Delivery Hero buys Glovo’s Latin America operations at $272 million
Published: 18-09-2020 | 12:39:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Delivery Hero, the world’s local delivery platform, has entered into an agreement with Glovo, an on-demand delivery start-up, to acquire its operations in Latin America for up to €230 million.


Cellular agriculture startup Wildtype launches salmon in sushi restaurants
Published: 17-09-2020 | 12:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cellular agriculture startup Wildtype has unveiled its latest cell-based salmon. This version is "sushi-grade" and crafted with the sushi industry's favorite raw salmon applications in mind.


Chromologics raises €1.9m seed round to accelerate development of fermentation-derived next generation food colorants
Published: 01-09-2020 | 17:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Chromologics, which is developing innovative natural food colorants, announced it has raised €1.9 million in seed financing led by Novo Seeds and supported by Nordic FoodTech VC and Vækstfonden.


On-demand grocery startup Weee raises $35 million to accelerate expansion
Published: 28-08-2020 | 15:33:48 | By: Bob Koigi
Asian e-grocer in the United States, Weee!, has announced $35 million in Series C financing led by DST Global; bringing the total capital raised to over $100 million.


102 startups selected for Plug and Play's fall 2020 batches
Published: 28-08-2020 | 14:00:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Silicon Valley headquartered global innovation platform Plug and Play has announced the selection of 102 new startups into its fall 2020 batches.


Tanzania startup tackles hidden hunger with bio fortified foods
Published: 27-08-2020 | 14:27:49 | By: Bob Koigi
An upsurge in cases of malnutrition among children in rural Tanzania, combined with the issue of poor markets for farmers, inspired Jolenta Joseph to venture into the nutrition business in 2017.


Kenyan women and youth agritech startups invited to apply for $100k FoodTech Africa accelerator
Published: 14-08-2020 | 15:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan youth and women-led agribusinesses have been awarded an opportunity to access $100,000 as investment for their companies through the FoodTech Africa accelerator.


Impossible Foods raises $200 million financing to fund retail expansion
Published: 14-08-2020 | 13:10:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Impossible Foods Inc. has announced it has secured $200 million in its latest funding round, led by new investor Coatue.


US startup Atomo Coffee raises $9m to bring molecular coffee to the market
Published: 13-08-2020 | 15:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Seattle based startup Atomo Coffee announced it has closed an additional $9 million in Seed funding to bring its molecular coffee to market.


[Startup Interview] Tracy Mapfumo, CEO, Eny's Treats, Zimbabwe
Published: 11-08-2020 | 12:04:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Eny's Treats, a startup based in Zimbabwe, manufactures seed-based gluten free snacks that are topped up with natural and unrefined sweeteners for the upmarket urban health-conscious consumers. The startup’s CEO Tracy Mapfumo elaborates.


Seattle based startup Minnow raises $2.2 million to meet demand for contact free pickup solution
Published: 05-08-2020 | 14:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Minnow Technologies, a Seattle based IoT startup that has developed a contact free food delivery and pickup solution has raised $2.2 million in an oversubscribed seed round.


Joywell Foods secures $6.9 million to grow its sweet protein portfolio
Published: 31-07-2020 | 11:24:51 | By: Bob Koigi
Joywell Foods, a food technology company developing a sweet protein portfolio, has announced the closing of a $6.9 million Series A financing round.


US startup Crowd Cow expands product offerings amid pandemic
Published: 16-07-2020 | 15:03:53 | By: Bob Koigi
Crowd Cow, a US marketplace for high quality craft beef, meat and seafood has expanded product offerings that would normally only be available at high end restaurants.


[Startup Interview] Ian Sendagala, CEO, eFoods Trade, Uganda
Published: 08-07-2020 | 14:23:00 | By: Bob Koigi
eFoods Trade is an African online B2B marketplace connecting African foods to the global markets. The platform targets food importers, exporters, distributors, and manufacturers. Ian Sendagala the CEO explains.


GreenTec Capital invests in Nigerian wholesale e-commerce startup Pricepally
Published: 07-07-2020 | 15:34:25 | By: Pie Kamau
GreenTec Capital Partners announced its investment in Pricepally, an innovative digital Nigerian wholesale platform allowing users to purchase food and other products either individually or as a part of a group.


Uber acquires food delivery startup Postmates for $2.65 billion
Published: 07-07-2020 | 14:15:32 | By: Bob Koigi
Uber has announced that it will acquire US on-demand food delivery startup Postmates for approximately $2.65 billion in an all-stock transaction.


Greenlight Biosciences secures $102 million financing to expand agriculture and life sciences applications research
Published: 18-06-2020 | 15:04:19 | By: Bob Koigi
GreenLight Biosciences has raised an oversubscribed $102 million round of funding from new and existing investors to rapidly expand production of its RNA products for agricultural and life sciences applications.


Naspers Foundry invests R100 million in South African agri-tech startup, Aerobotics
Published: 11-06-2020 | 14:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Naspers announced a R100 million investment in agritech business Aerobotics, through its early-stage business funding initiative Naspers Foundry. Aerobotics is a subscription-based artificial intelligence (AI) company that provides intelligent tools for the agricultural industry to manage its crops.


[Startup Interview] Timi Oke, Founder, AgroEknor International, Nigeria
Published: 10-06-2020 | 10:53:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Timi Oke is the founder of AgroEknor International Limited in Nigeria that trades and exports processed agricultural products `agricultural products to clients in 9 different countries globally.


Six agritech startups selected for Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator programme
Published: 05-06-2020 | 16:28:00 | By: Bob Koigi
The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator has selected six new participating startups focused on agriculture technology solutions to join the programme.


[Startup Interview] Yassir Ali, CEO, Hasania Foods, Nigeria
Published: 04-06-2020 | 17:05:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Hasania Foods Ltd, a startup in Nigeria is assisting farmers by adding value to a variety of agriculture products and introducing new ways of packaging foods. Yassir Ali the founder and CEO of the startup explains the model, the challenges and the plans to expand to West Africa.


Swedish startup Mycorena raises €1.2 million funding to expand production, scale-up activities
Published: 26-05-2020 | 15:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Swedish startup Mycorena has raised over €1.2 million to fund the scale-up expansion of the product to reach the mass market, by financing the sustainable growth of the company initiating their first small-scale industrial production plant in Falkenberg.


Irish startup Buymie enters UK online grocery market in a deal with Co-Op
Published: 26-05-2020 | 15:02:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Irish startup Buymie has teamed-up with Co-op to offer same-day home grocery deliveries to over 200,000 households across Bristol.


[South Africa] Food delivery startup Zulzi raises $1.6 million to expand operations
Published: 18-05-2020 | 15:02:39 | By: Bob Koigi
Zulzi, a South Africa based on-demand delivery platform has bagged R30 million ($1.6 million) funding from an unnamed JSE-listed company, aimed to expand its operations.


US pizza platform Slice raises $43 million to scale delivery
Published: 15-05-2020 | 10:58:00 | By: Bob Koigi
US online delivery platform for local pizza shops Slice, has raised $43 million in Series C funding from U.S. private equity firm KKR.


[Startup Interview] Mhlengi Ngcobo, CEO, CoffeMM, South Africa
Published: 04-03-2020 | 12:25:00 | By: Bas Vlugt
CoffeeMM, a South African startup in the coffee business has been working with smallholder farmers in South Africa, Mozambique, Burundi and Zimbabwe to process their raw coffee for the retail market. Besides connecting them to international


[Startup Interview] Priscilla Musenge, Director, Prote-IN, Zambia
Published: 04-03-2020 | 11:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Inspired by the school of thought that holds that insects are the future of food, Priscilla Musenge runs a Zambia-based startup Prote-IN producing low cost, high quality protein alternatives from insects to make fish, chicken, pig feed, fertilizer as well as for human consumption.