NEW TECH FOODS

Starday, a US-based, AI-driven food innovation company, has successfully completed an $11 million Series A funding round aimed at expanding its retail partnerships and accelerating the development of innovative food products.

The investment, led by Slow Ventures and Equal Ventures, includes $8 million in equity and a $3 million debt credit facility from Silicon Valley Bank, bringing Starday's total funding to $20 million.

The company, co-founded by Chaz Flexman, Lena Kwak and Lily Burtis, leverages artificial intelligence to identify unmet consumer needs and develop tailored products for retail distribution.

This funding will enable Starday to roll out 14 new products across its four brands, including the recently launched Habeya Sweet Potato Crackers and All Day chickpea protein crunch, which are now available in major grocery chains such as Kroger and Hannaford.

Starday's innovative approach is positioning it as a leader in a market where traditional growth has been stagnant. Retailers are increasingly looking to Starday to drive category expansion through data-informed product development.

The company's strategy focuses on creating bespoke products that cater to specific market demands, particularly in high-growth segments like allergen-free snacks.

“AI empowers food product developers with powerful tools for data analysis, trend prediction, and rapid iteration, bridging the gap between consumer desires and technical formulation,” said CEO Flexman. “In founding Starday, we wanted to empower retailers and brands to leverage AI, human creativity, and industry expertise to craft and launch the next generation of food products, brought to market faster and more effectively."

"This infusion of capital marks the next phase of Starday’s growth in which we are accelerating the retail footprint for our brands, collaborating with retailers to build in the white space for consumers, and partnering with food companies to help them bring new products and brands to market.”

Starday's model allows for rapid product development, reducing the time frame from concept to market launch from years to mere months. This agility is particularly appealing to retailers seeking to enhance their competitive edge in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Starday's products are already outperforming established brands in key retail locations, indicating a strong market reception.

Will Quist of Slow Ventures commented: “They’re not just launching products – they’re building a platform that helps retailers get into and grow new, novel categories at a fundamentally lower cost. That kind of structural advantage is rare in CPG.”

With plans for further retail expansion and product launches throughout 2025, Starday aims to redefine how food brands are created and scaled.