Maersk, the global logistics company, has released the names of the seven startups joining the second edition of FoodTrack by Maersk. They include packaging technologies that seek to prolong the shelf life of fresh produce, marketplaces connecting farmers directly with retailers, innovative storage solutions and advanced analytics to optimize food supply chains.
Participating startups will be in the running for an equity investment from Maersk’s venture arm, Maersk Growth.
Maersk Growth has become one of the most active agrifood tech investors since launching FoodTrack over the summer, already investing in at least three food-related startups in as many months, most recently Spoiler Alert, the supply chain software startup combatting food waste. Two of the investor’s seven investments are still undisclosed.
After the success of FoodTrack by Maersk’s first edition, Maersk opened up applications again for a second edition of the program last month. With a focused approach on solutions addressing food loss at the early stages of the supply chain, 142 startups applied and were evaluated by Maersk and Rockstart, the accelerator group that has partnered with Maersk on the program. From these applications, seven startups were selected from five countries around the globe.
FoodTrack by Maersk’s second cohort includes:
AgVoice (USA): Voice recognition software for capturing data – form filling & metadata analytics – by using proprietary analytics and processing of raw voice during human inspections.
FreshLand (Denmark): B2B/B2C marketplace shortening and digitizing the food supply chain base through connecting farmers directly with retailers and consumers.
FruitsApp (Italy): B2B marketplace for fresh products with integrated global logistics, using algorithms to match demand and supply and forecasting price fluctuations.
iFood Packaging Systems (USA): The company develops a packaging technology that seeks to prolong the shelf life and increase the safety and vitality of food products.
InspiraFarms (UK): supplies energy-efficient refrigerated storage machinery with modular structures to clients in the fresh produce export industry in emerging markets.
Lettuce Box (USA): SaaS solution providing simulated product temperatures through the supply chain enabling companies to better assess the impact of storage temperatures on products.
Startchy (Lebanon): Startchy innovates a new biotechnology creating 100% natural edible coating solutions to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.
Maersk and Rockstart were impressed with the progress many of the selected startups had already made including the market validation of their technologies and rapid growth in short timeframes, as well as the deep industry experience and business acumen of the teams.
The selected startups will join Maersk Growth’s offices in Copenhagen for one month, starting November 14. The FoodTrack by Maersk programme ends on December 13 with a demo-day, where the startups pitch for an opportunity to receive investment from Maersk Growth.
To find out more about the program and the highlights of the first program, read here.
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