ShelfLife, procurement software and marketplace for the food and beverage industry, has announced a $3 million Series Seed funding co-led by Switch Ventures, Kindred Ventures and NextView Ventures.
This will enable ShelfLife to grow its team, improve its digital marketplace and further build its supplier network.
With a focus on the $150B market for ingredients and packaging materials in the US, ShelfLife connects food and beverage brands with wholesale suppliers via its online platform. With 50 new brands launched per day, suppliers can display products and acquire customers across a rapidly evolving landscape.
“We launched ShelfLife to make it feasible for entrepreneurs to bring new products to market and build profitable businesses – and that starts with sourcing raw materials,” ShelfLife co-founder and CEO Lillian Cartwright said.
“We make it easier for emerging brands to connect and work with the best suppliers across any stage of growth.”
Traditionally, brands discover suppliers at trade shows and through referrals. Suppliers require large sales teams to manually process orders via phone or email.
Since launching a closed Beta in late January, ShelfLife has helped craft beverage brands digitally order hundreds of products across dozens of suppliers throughout New England and Southern California.
“Food and beverage procurement is ready for modernisation,” Switch Ventures representative Paul Arnold said.
“I am impressed by Lillian and John’s thinking about how to create a platform that delivers value for all parties in the supply chain. I am excited to help ShelfLife build this future.”
To learn more, visit www.shelflife.us.