Staying ahead of the technology curve means strengthening your competitive advantage. That is why we give you data-driven innovation insights into the food industry. This time, you get to discover 5 hand-picked startups developing post-COVID solutions for the food sector.
Global Startup Heat Map: 5 Top Post-COVID Solutions for the Food Sector
The 5 startups developing post-COVID solutions for the food sector you will explore below are chosen based on our data-driven startup scouting approach, taking into account factors such as location, founding year, and relevance of technology, among others. This analysis is based on the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering over 1.3 million startups & scaleups globally.
The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the 5 FoodTech startups our Innovation Researchers curated for this report. Moreover, you get insights into regions that observe a high startup activity and the global geographic distribution of the 219 companies we analyzed for this specific topic.
GreenFingers Mobile scales Food Parcel & Voucher Delivery
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the global food supply chain. With the whole world on lockdown, the demand for food delivery has skyrocketed. At the same time, food producers dump their surplus produce while stores were running empty further exposes the challenges of the food supply chain. In response, startups create effective solutions in the food supply, processing, and ration management, among others. Solutions to ensure precise distribution of available food in a community and avoid waste are gaining traction.
South African startup GreenFingers Mobile (GFM) provides a digital platform to track and manage food parcels and voucher deliveries in Africa. The startup’s platform provides nonprofits and community activists with digital beneficiary data by generating a unique ID for each household. The startup’s associated GPS- and time-based stamping enables efficient tracking of each transaction and maps food insecurity at a household level. Further, the technique is also transparent which ensures investors that their money reaches the beneficiaries. GFM’s digital platform addresses food insecurity in the community through data-driven strategies that execute effective food management.
Minnow Technologies enables Contact-Free Food Pickup solutions
Direct or close contact is the prime factor that spreads SARS-COV-2. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a mere one-meter direct face-to-face interaction has higher chances of the disease spread. However, technological innovations enable startups to create solutions that offer contactless processes to control the spread of the virus. For example, cashless payment in stores and drone-based delivery services are effective in minimizing human contact amid the pandemic, ensuring a safe living and working environment.
Minnow Technologies is a US-based startup that develops an open platform storage pod to ensure contact-free food pickup. Minnow’s pickup pod minimizes disease spread by reducing human-to-human interaction in food delivery and pick-up. The pods have individually isolated cubbies that keep food fresh for longer and more secure. The delivery person leaves the package at the cubbies, which the consumer then collects at their convenience. Notably, the system uses a touchless interface to operate, thus ensuring minimal contact. Minnow’s contact-free pods enable property managers and foodservice operators to provide a safer and convenient pickup experience for their customers.
OLIO provides a Local Food Sharing Platform
COVID-19 has forced communities to rely on local food supply and food providers. Food sharing emerged as a simple and efficient solution that addresses the discontinuity in the food supply chain. As a result, local authorities and food distribution organizations promote food sharing. Startups utilize food robotics, automated delivery, and other digital solutions to address the challenges caused due to the pandemic and alleviate food security for vulnerable communities.
British startup OLIO provides a free food-sharing app to address food insecurity. The app users are able to share food nearing its sell-by date in local stores or spare home-grown vegetables to their neighbors. The app also enables users to share groceries in their homes, and even non-food household items, avoiding unnecessary wastage. The OLIO app connects neighbors and local food businesses to enable surplus food sharing, improving food security, and reducing wastage.
Nutrislice develops Digital Signage
COVID-19 health guidelines requiring contact-free approaches during the pandemic pushes innovation in online and mobile-based services. Contactless solutions improve customer safety and experience while delivering a flexible operation for the business owners. Startups leverage food-related processes such as delivery and pick-up, among others, to avoid direct human interaction, which increases the chance of disease spread.
US-based startup Nutrislice creates interactive contactless food ordering solutions for restaurants and hotels with digital signage solutions. The startup’s services better direct customers with the latest safety guidelines and other instructions, improving customer engagement and sales. Further, Nutrislice’s integrated platform offers contactless orders for pick-up, delivery, and safe-distance dining. The startup also features a meal-locator, which aids contingency food planning for children and ensures their safety by opting for dining or pick-up locations away from the crowd.
Nom Nom creates Digital Menu & Ordering tools
COVID-19 has had a massive impact on the food industry, including food insecurity and supply disruption. As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, and people start getting back into their daily activities, food outlets still find it challenging to bring in customers due to safety concerns. However, startups now develop innovative solutions that ensure safety while dining, delivery, and pick-up in public restaurants. These solutions offer safety and comfort for customers while helping business owners gather more footfall.
Nom Nom is a Croatian startup that develops contactless solutions for the catering industry. The startup utilizes its integrated platform that lets restaurants and hotels create digital menus. Nom Nom’s digital platform ensures fast and safe food offerings along with easy integration support. The platform ensures minimal customer-waiter interaction, thus enhancing safety while dining-in. The startup’s digital solution cuts down waiting time and improves flexible menu management for restaurants and hotels, enhancing customer satisfaction and boosting sales.
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