Winnipeg, MN-based TheoryMesh is digitizing the food supply chain, applying blockchain and machine learning to optimize processes, improve traceability and improve transparency and sustainability. The company’s platform is built to capture data and inform decision makers of the best methods for optimizing their production and environmental footprint. Companies can use the platform to share information about food production and sustainability with consumers. The company received $1,287,025 in funding to create a more sustainable beef and dairy supply chain through controlled environment agriculture and digitization.
We spoke to TheoryMesh CEO Chris Bunio to learn more about the company and its plans.
Q: What is your company’s mission?
A: Our mission is to help farmers and food companies improve food safety and sustainability through traceable and transparent, fully optimized supply chains.
Q: Why did you apply for this funding and how will you use it?
A: Improving the food supply chain is an imperative to feed the world and reduce the impact of agriculture and food waste on the environment. This funding will allow us to implement a complete and traceable beef and dairy supply chain system which connects from feed to consumer, providing the first real opportunity to drive effective optimization and sustainability with data driven insights. The partners in the project will use the funding to integrate our systems, develop the needed data capture and tracking technology, and ultimately showcase information to consumers in a system which will scale across the industry.
Q: What excites you most about working in this area of the food industry?
A: Applying science and data driven observations/optimizations is a keen interest. In this project we will establish a factual picture of the dairy and beef supply chain and find real world mechanisms to improve the supply chain for all participants. Having consumers see the reduction in methane or other metrics is very exciting.
Q: Why is collaboration so important for accelerating innovation in the food industry? Is it difficult to find good collaborating partners, and what would make the process easier?
A: Food supply chains are inherently typically complex. In order to make an impact on the food consumers eat and the information available to them, all partners in the supply chain need to collaborate on a project. Creating synergy among a partner group is the fundamental key to success with complex projects, and creating joint value is one of the most important outcomes.
Q: Please comment on the importance of public funding to help companies clear innovation hurdles and access leveraged funds.
A: As a startup we are always looking at how we can create innovation products and solutions while scaling our business. Public funding allows us to pursue innovative ideas while de-risking the investment and making every investment dollar scale further. We use public funding to expand our workforce and create solutions which are solving hard problems, which we would likely not try to tackle without the multiplier effect of public funding.
Q: Looking ahead, what’s on the horizon for your company?
A: Our company has moved quickly in less than two years to create solutions which address critical needs in the market for traceability, transparency and sustainable impact. We will continue scaling the company and expand our customer reach to Europe, Africa and Asia.
Q: What are your passions or hobbies outside of work?
A: I enjoy travelling with my family, reading/researching various topics, finding and making gluten-free food, hiking, swimming and exploring new areas.
Q: If you had to pick one person to make you a meal, who would you choose?
A: With my gluten allergy this is an incredibly hard question to answer! I would probably go with Gordon Ramsey, for sheer entertainment!