Best Startup
This article showcases our top picks for the best Illinois based Food and Beverage companies. These startups and companies are taking a variety of approaches to innovating the Food and Beverage industry, but are all exceptional companies well worth a follow.
We tried to pick companies across the size spectrum from cutting edge startups to established brands.
We selected these startups and companies for exceptional performance in one of these categories:
- Innovation
- Innovative ideas
- Innovative route to market
- Innovative product
- Growth
- Exceptional growth
- Exceptional growth strategy
- Management
- Societal impact
[adace-ad id=”7108″]
Top Illinois Food and Beverage Startups
Data sourced from Crunchbase and SemRush.
Grubhub
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Grubhub is a online and mobile food ordering and delivery marketplace dedicated to connecting diners with local restaurants.
Tovala
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Tovala is a food-tech company that offers a meal service paired with a countertop smart oven.
Tock
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Tock is a cloud-based platform with flexible data structures that provide comprehensive restaurant and event booking services.
Home Chef
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Home Chef is a provider of subscription-based meal kit delivery services to help people to save time while enjoying home cooking.
Nature’s Fynd
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Nature’s Fynd is a food company producing a protein from a microbe discovered in the geothermal springs.
McDonald’s
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
McDonald’s is a global foodservice retailer generating revenue through company-owned restaurants, franchise royalties, and licensing pacts.
Bartesian
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Bartesian offers a capsule-based machine that enables individuals to make homemade cocktails.
Farmer’s Fridge
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Farmer’s Fridge provides an automated smart fridge that serves salads, bowls, snacks, and more.
Provi
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Provi is a communication platform that simplifies the operations for bars, restaurants, and retailers in ordering booze.
Fooda
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Fooda is a food technology platform that connects restaurants to people while at work.
US Foods
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
US Foods is a foodservice distributor that provides its customers with innovative food offerings and a suite of business solutions.
Vital Proteins
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Vital Proteins engages in providing natural, whole food proteins that support animal well-being and sustainable eco-friendly practices.
Factor_
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Factor is a subscription-based prepared meal delivery service that delivers dietitian-designed, chef-crafted meals.
S2G Ventures
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
S2G Ventures is a multi-stage venture fund focusing on investments in food and agriculture industries.
Chowly
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Chowly provides innovative tech solutions to connect restaurant POS platforms with third-party online ordering solutions.
FanFood
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
FanFood is a mobile ordering and concession management platform for sports and live events.
Mondelez International
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Mondelez International is a branded food and beverage company that specializes in snack foods such as biscuits, chocolate, gum, and candies.
OneSpace
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
OneSpace positions your CPG brand front and center on the digital shelf with a suite of tools and on-demand services.
FoodBoss
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
FoodBoss is an all in one online food and alcohol delivery search engine that comprises data from food services companies.
Quicklly
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Quicklly is an online marketplace that offers a wide range of Indian groceries and cuisines.
MUSH Foods
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
MUSH Foods is a manufacturer and distributor of ready-to-eat oats.
Innovative Tap Solutions LLC
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
World leader in self pouring beverage technology solutions for beer, wine , coffee, cocktails, cider and anything else you can put in a keg
OjaExpress
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
OjaExpress is an ecommerce company that offers a digital marketplace for cultural groceries.
Crafty
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Crafty is a food and drink company that helps offices craft better workplaces with food, beverage, events, and alcohol management.
Wise Apple
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Wise Apple makes life easier by making lunch better – by delivering fresh, custom, ready-to-serve lunches and snacks directly to your door.
Protein2o
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Protein2o provides drinks that promote a healthy, active lifestyle through the daily use of protein.
Tiesta Tea
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Tiesta Tea is a provider of tea of various flavors that blends to fit every taste and lifestyle.
Hello water
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Hello water is a fiber infused water with the perfect balance of flavor and sweetness to help aid in a healthy lifestyle.
BrewBike
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
BrewBike serves cold brew coffee at lean retail locations and through wholesale accounts.
World’s Finest Chocolate
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
World’s Finest Chocolate has crafted premium chocolate directly from the cocoa bean.
PRE Brands
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
PRE Brands is a food processing company that specializes in providing grass-fed and finished beef products.
GoLogic
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
GoLogic creates turnkey, digital solutions for small businesses to increase revenue opportunities and deepen customer relationships.
ForeLight
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
ForeLight is developting the biomanufacturing industry through their proprietary photosynthetic production technology.
Rumi Spice
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Rumi Spice is a spice company that brings exotic spices to enhance the flavor of foods.
Here Holdings
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Here Holdings creates food and beverage products in Illinois using Midwest produce.
Vroom Delivery
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Vroom Delivery is the first eCommerce platform specifically designed for the $233B convenience store industry
SuckerPunch Gourmet
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
SuckerPunch Gourmet is a food company dedicated to bold flavor, all natural ingredients, and a touch of spice.
Simple Mills
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Delicious and nutrient-rich baking mixes made of simple ingredients you’ll fall in love with!
Food Genius
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Food Genius is a leading foodservice data provider specializing in gathering, preparing, and serving foodservice menu data and analytics
Jovian Technologies
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
AI SaaS platform for Food & Beverage Competitive Intelligence & Consumer data Analytics
Banyan Technologies, Inc.
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
B2B local food e-commerce platform
COCO5
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
COCO5 offers a sports drink brand with hydration benefits, naturally occurring electrolytes, and no artificial ingredients.
Radish
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Radish delivers delicious ready to eat meals straight to your door in under 20 minutes.
The Middleby Corp
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
The Middleby Corporation is a provider of the foodservice and food processing equipment industry.
Yummy Future
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Yummy Future provides robotic solutions for food and beverage retailing.
Windward Brands
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Windward Brands offers dessert, ice cream, and frozen novelty food products.
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Sitka Salmon Shares is a community-supported fishery delivering premium, blast-frozen, wild seafood shares to members in the lower 48.
Fronen Foods
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Fronen Foods is a natural food company offering Frönen, a non-dairy ice cream alternative that is low in calories, sugar, and fat.
J.K. Williams Distilling
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
J.K. Williams Distilling is a distillery producing craft whiskey and spirits.
Local Foods
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Local Foods helps bring farm-to-table to life by connecting small providers with shoppers all across Chicago.
Proper Cookie Dough
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Plant-based, superfood packed, edible/bakeable cookie dough.
For True Foodies Only
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
True Foodies is the culinary world in your pocket.
Grablr
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Delivery of food, beverage, and merchandise to your seat at stadiums.
Famous Industries
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Famous Industries owns and operates a liquor store.
Ingredion Incorporated
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Ingredion Incorporated is a leading global ingredient solutions provider to the food, beverage, brewing and pharmaceutical industries
Portillos
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Portillo’s is serving fresh, homemade food in nostalgic themed restaurants.
KeHE Distributors
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
KeHE Distributors is a fresh and natural, organic wholesale foods distributor.
TreeHouse Foods
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
TreeHouse Foods rises above to provide quality food products primarily for the private label and foodservice industries.
Mel-O-Cream Donuts International
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Mel-O-Cream Donuts International is a manufacturer of frozen donuts.
ArrowStream
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Supply Chain Management Platform for Foodservice
Pollyanna Brewing Company
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Pollyanna Brewing experiments with local fruits & spices, seasonal lagers, barrel-aging, & wild yeast/bacteria to produce signature beers
Apologue
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Apologue is a manufacturing company of liqueurs are made from entirely natural, non-GMO ingredients.
Sipp Brands
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Sipp Brands produces, markets, and invests in wine projects.
Weber
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Weber is a privately held American manufacturer of charcoal, gas, and electric outdoor grills with related accessories.
Because, Animals
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Because Animals is creating cultured meat to feed the world’s pets.
Innova Flavors
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Innova Flavors is a company that specializes in creating customized meat and savory flavours.
Mead Johnson Nutrition
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Mead Johnson Nutrition manufactures and sells infant formula, children’s nutrition, and other nutritional products.
Greco and Sons
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Greco and Sons is a food and beverages company that provides meats, cheeses, olive oil, and tomatoes.
Synergy Flavors
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Synergy Flavors is a manufacturer and supplier of flavorings, extracts and essences, with a truly global footprint.
AngleWare
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
AngleWare The Tilted Pet Bowl is the pet bowl with the Contour bottom for food or water with an inclined bottom surface intended.
Kraft
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Kraft Foods is a grocery conglomerate that manufactures and markets a range of food and beverage products.
Prommus Brands
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Prommus is a food and beverage company that specializes in the manufacturing, distribution, and selling of vegetable and fruit-based foods.
Seasons Sparkling
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Seasons Sparkling creates organic plant-based sparkling waters, presents them with contemporary art, and delivers nationwide.
JuiceRx
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
JuiceRx is a manufacturer and retailer of organic juice cleanses and fresh-pressed juices.
The Quaker Oats Company
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Quaker Oats Company is a Chicago-based American manufacturer of oatmeal and other food and beverage products.
Merieux Nutrisciences Corporation
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Merieux Nutrisciences Corporation is mainly focused on dedicating consumer health services and solutions for food, environment and cosmetic.
Saddleback Chocolates
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Saddleback Chocolates offers premium chocolates and classic equine gifts.
Nurture Life
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Nurture Life is a food company that offers organic and ready-to-eat meals for babies, toddlers, and kids.
Sente Foundry
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Sente is an international startup investment and innovation platform.
Great Kitchens Food Company
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Great Kitchens Food Company is a U.S. manufacturer of private label take-and-bake pizzas and flatbreads.
Dream Kitchen
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
One of the biggest obstacles to starting a food business in Illinois is the high cost of setting up a commercial kitchen.
Allied Buying Corporation
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Allied Buying Corporation (ABC) is the leading buying group in the Foodservice Equipment and Supply Industry.
Kiki’s Gluten Free Foods
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Kiki’s Gluten Free Foods is a producer and manufacturer of gluten-free food products.
WOW
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
WOW is an online content provider in entertainment, health, technology, food, lifestyle, family, sports, and finance.
Quantock Brewery
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Quantock Brewery brews quality real ales in cask and bottles by using traditional craft brewing techniques and natural ingredients.
Levy Restaurants
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Levy Restaurants is a hospitality company that runs restaurants and vending machines in entertainment and sporting venues.
Hidden Valley
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Hidden Valley is an American brand of salad dressing made from buttermilk, salt, garlic, onion, herbs, and spices.
Edward Don & Company
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
A Woodridge, Ill.-based distributor of foodservice equipment and supplies.
Reyes Holdings
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Reyes Holdings is American foodservice wholesaler and distributor.
Tenth and Blake Beer Company
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Tenth and Blake Beer Company is a family of craft breweries, import beers and hard ciders.
Vrai
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Vrai creates craft alcoholic beverages that are every bit as good as what you’d get in a cocktail bar, but in a can.
Noon Whistle Brewing
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Noon Whistle Brewing is craft brewery that produces craft beers and beverages.
EcoWatch
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
EcoWatch is an environmental website reporting on environmental news, green living, and sustainable businesses.
Topco Associates
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Topco Associates is a provider of an innovative business solutions for its food industry member-owners and customers.
Wrigley
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Wrigley is a leader in confections with a wide range of product offerings including gum, mints, hard and chewy candies, and lollipops.
Ferrara Candy
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Ferrara Candy is virtual tours of the making of Lemonheads, Red Hots, Gummies, Jawbusters, Boston Baked Beans and Atomic Fireballs.
Summit Wine Tastings
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Founded in 2010, Summit Wine Tastings, LLC is a wine and spirits marketing and promotions company based in Chicago, Illinois.
The Buona Companies
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Buona is a quick casual restaurant chain and caterer that features Original Italian Beef, Pizza, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Sandwiches and Salads.
