© COGZ
A London-based agritech start-up has created an online marketplace to enable food and beverage manufacturers and processors to buy surplus produce directly from farmers and growers.
COGZ wants to reintroduce the 30% of produce that is grown and wasted before it reaches the farm gate back into the supply chain.
The company was selected to take part in Pitchfest, Enterprise Europe Network’s pitch training and investment showcase programme. Founder of COGZ Sean O’Keefe said:
"Pitchfest was a brilliant opportunity to gain valuable insights and expert feedback from the EEN team and other innovative entrepreneurs."
Since the programme, COGZ has raised investment and been selected by Founders Factory to participate in Founders Factory Retail, a joint venture with UK retail giant Marks & Spencer’s, focused on investing and growing start-ups. The company is helping M&S to optimise efficiency and reduce waste within their supply chain.
Kirsten Masson, EEN East Innovation Advisor based at St John’s Innovation Centre in Cambridge, said:
“We are delighted to see that COGZ has gone from strength to strength since taking part in the Pitchfest programme and working with Enterprise Europe Network. They have a strong proposition which addresses a real gap in the market. It is a fantastic achievement to have secured a collaboration with Marks and Spencer and we look forward to following their journey as the business continues to scale.”
Approximately 1,200 tonnes of produce a month has been put on the marketplace since it went live. "COGZ’s vision is to complete the food supply chain so that everything grown gets eaten," said Sean O’Keefe.
To support the UK food industry during the #COVID19 crisis, COGZ is now offering free services to all businesses with surplus produce within the fresh food supply chain. Find out more on their website.
COGZ’s vision is to complete the food supply chain so that everything grown gets eaten"
Sean O’Keefe, Founder
