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BlakBear

Food freshness sensor technology

1-20 employees
  • B2B
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Sustainability
  • Food
  • Hardware
  • Deep Tech
  • Internet of Things
  • Machine Learning
  • Science
  • Biotechnology
Imperial College, London, London SW7 2AZ, GB

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Company mission

To make food efficient and replace use-by dates with smart labels that measure freshness, and AI that predicts shelf-life.

30% female employees

Otta's take

Sam Franklin headshot

Sam Franklin

CEO of Otta

In a world of carbon offsetting, BlakBear is a refreshingly head-on and practical software company that develops sensor technology for the waste and carbon reduction space. With £12.5 billion worth of food thrown away each year because it’s reached its shelf life, BlakBear’s flagship product can scan and measure food to check if it’s truly out of date.

These “paper-based electrical gas sensors” can pick up spoilage gases such as ammonia and trimethylamine in meat-based products and can be read by smartphones so as to avoid throwing away perfectly good food. BlakBear’s technology is currently being touted by the media as a potential replacement for use by dates, and the company is currently focused on selling to supermarkets and meat processors.

The Imperial College Research team behind it has been awarded impressive seed and grant funding from large investors Ada Capital and Ponderosa Ventures, among others.

Benefits

  • Team skill building events, such as 3D Printing Day
  • Mental health support - we’re partnering with Spill

Company values

  • Psychological Safety - Safe to voice opinions, even if they go against the group, no fear of retribution or adverse impact on reputation. Critical feedback is celebrated - asked for, listened to, then acted on.
  • Intellectually Curious - Studying BlakBear's craft, using the best available tools, BlakBear prioritises learning over being right.
  • Team Dependability - BlakBear supports each other through the hard times, this team has your back. Everyone can trust that high quality work will be produced on time.
  • Embracing Risk - Turn chaos and mystery into opportunity. Live a culture of excitement.

Funding (1 round)

Jan 2023

$2.9m

SEED

$2.9m

Total funding

Founders

Max Grell

(CEO)

Previously Co-Founder at GivTree, 2016 Cohort at New Entrepreneurs Foundation, Business Development at Poq. CEO at BlakBear.

Giandrin Barandun

(CTO)

Previously Postdoctoral Researcher at Imperial College London, CTO and Co-Founder at BlakBear.

Michael Kasimatas

(COO)

Clinical Trials Research Associate at Stevenage Bioscientist Catalyst, Consultant of Tissue Processing Operations at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. COO at BlakBear.

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