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In today's fast-paced restaurant industry, efficiency and sustainability are two of the most critical factors for success. Enter ., an innovative restaurant management software designed to streamline kitchen operations, reduce food waste, and help restaurants minimize their environmental impact. Born out of the CU Sustainability Hackathon competition in 2023, what began as a week-long challenge to develop a sustainable business solution quickly evolved into the fully-fledged concept of .

The team consists of co-founders , , , and . While brainstorming various ideas for the competition, Emma drew from her personal experience working as a server at a restaurant in Boulder. One night, she overheard her manager mention that they had thrown away enough food to feed the entire homeless population in Boulder. This startling realization prompted the team to focus on addressing the growing issue of food waste in the restaurant industry.

What is Foodwise?

Foodwise is an intelligent restaurant management platform created to tackle one of the industry's biggest challenges: food waste. Through its state-of-the-art technology, Foodwise assists restaurant kitchens in optimizing their operations by generating highly accurate prep lists. These lists are based on a variety of key factors, including historical sales data, weather conditions, local events, and holidays. This predictive approach allows restaurants to prepare the exact amount of food required to meet customer demand, thereby reducing food waste and unnecessary costs.

The software also plays a significant role in lowering the restaurant's carbon footprint. By forecasting more precise demand for ingredients, Foodwise not only minimizes waste but also contributes to sustainability efforts within the food service industry. It’s a solution that benefits both the bottom line and the environment.

Through their combined experience working in food service and restaurant management, the team focused on the inefficiencies surrounding food prep. Too often, restaurants misjudge the amount of food required for service due to a lack of foresight regarding everyday factors that affect demand, leading to unnecessary waste or last-minute adjustments Foodwise was created as a solution to this problem, leveraging data-driven insights to ensure that only what is needed is prepared, cutting down on waste, and contributing to a more sustainable future for the industry.

Starting with Just an Idea

The journey of Foodwise began with uncertainty. When the team initially considered entering the New Venture Challenge (NVC), they were hesitant. They had no MVP (minimum viable product), no prototype, just an idea. In a competition where many teams had tangible goods or fully developed solutions, the Foodwise founders put their best foot forward.

NVC was different. The competition was open to anyone, regardless of how far along their idea was. Realizing that NVC was more about innovation and potential rather than just polished products gave the team the confidence to jump in, even without a finished product. This inclusiveness became the stepping stone they needed to take their idea to the next level.

Participating in NVC proved to be more valuable than the team could have imagined. Not only did they win the entire competition, but even beyond that, it provided the founders with access to mentors, a robust network, and critical resources. These elements were instrumental in helping them solidify their vision for Foodwise and take the necessary steps to create the company. The mentorship and networking opportunities allowed them to connect with industry experts who helped guide them through the early stages of launching their business.

Jennifer, one of the founders, recalls how this experience gave them the push they needed. Initially unsure of how far they could take their idea, the rigorous demands of NVC forced the team to treat Foodwise as more than just a passion project. They conducted thorough research, visited restaurants, crafted detailed slide decks, and practiced pitches to perfection. The pressure to deliver high-quality work through each round of NVC motivated them to fully commit to their vision.

From Uncertainty to Launch

By the time the NVC competition wrapped up, the Foodwise team had come a long way from their initial uncertainty. They had developed a strong, validated idea backed by research and were confident enough to move forward with forming a company. The competition experience gave them the ability to move beyond just brainstorming, pushing them to think critically about how to build and scale their business.

One of the most valuable lessons the founders learned was that you don’t have to be a seasoned entrepreneur or a business expert to enter a competition like NVC. Emma, another co-founder, reflected on her own experience as a student who wasn’t deeply involved in clubs or business challenges before entering. The competition pushed them outside their comfort zone, providing opportunities to receive feedback, refine their ideas, and ultimately, bring their concept to life.

Encouraging Future Entrepreneurs

The founders of Foodwise have a message for other aspiring entrepreneurs: Don't be intimidated by the idea of starting a business.

“You don’t need to have a fully developed business idea or an advanced degree to get involved. Challenges like NVC are designed to help you grow, offering the tools, resources, and mentorship necessary to nurture even the smallest ideas.”

For anyone considering taking that first leap, Jennifer, Emma, Byron, and Hashirr encourage you to just give it a shot. As they learned, a single idea, no matter how small or incomplete, can become something great with the right push. The experience can help you discover potential you didn’t know you had and setting you on a path toward creating something meaningful.