Best Startup
We provide real-time end-to-end supply chain visibility for producers of perishable goods. We use continuously-connected 5G sensors to monitor the location and environmental conditions of perishables as they transit the supply chain. When temperature, humidity or other factors jeopardize the safety or quality of the food, we send out alerts to the party who has custody so they may intervene and save the shipment.
Tell us about yourself?
I spent 12 years in software development before shifting to advertising and marketing, where I spent another 27 years. In 2018, I gave up that career, as I wanted to give back in some way. So I built a tech business focused around keeping food out of landfills.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
To not internalize sales rejections during a global pandemic!
What problem does your business solve?
Financial and product losses caused by breakdowns, malfeasance or disruptions in supply chains
What is the inspiration behind your business?
In 2018, I was speaking with a chocolate company about shipment monitoring, and found that they frequently lost food en-route to retailers. When I learned how bad the situation was with product loss in transit, and considered how many people in the world were food insecure, it seemed like a mission that was worth pursuing.
What is your magic sauce?
Unlike others, we were built for transparency and collaboration (hence the name “transparent path”). We encourage supply chains to work together to create efficiencies and partnerships across trade partners.
We also have a unique algorithm called FreshScore that predicts product freshness based on harvest-by and sell-by dates along with sensor data captured within our system.
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
The goal is to build a generational tech company that is giving back and keeping food out of landfills. For example, one truckload of tree fruit that we save keeps 10 metric tons of carbon out of the atmosphere and preserves the 45 million gallons of fresh water pulled from aquifers to produce that fruit.
For our customer Feeding America, each load saved means they can provide 35,000 meals to hungry Americans. In five years, I want to build the company’s revenues and reach enough to sell to a foundation or corporation who wants to pick up the mantle.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
Pandemic-related indecision and uncertainty. So many people are freaked out, overwhelmed by information, and frozen in place out of fear. It’s incredibly hard to sell when people are distrusting, cynical, exhausted and scared.
How do people get involved/buy into your vision?
We know we can save each customer from $500,000 to several million dollars each year in food that would otherwise be wasted. Our challenge is awareness and getting people past their indecision. We bring trust and transparency to the products we eat – one less thing to worry about.
So customers can get involved with us by asking for a free trial and seeing how we bring clarity and efficiency to their supply chains.
