FoodCloud, a tech-based social enterprise dedicated to mitigating food waste by redistributing surplus food, has received a significant research and development (R&D) funding of over €500,000 from Enterprise Ireland’s Agile Innovation Fund. The funding aims to further enhance their innovative food redistribution platform, Foodiverse, enabling FoodCloud to rescue and deliver an additional 8.25 million meals per annum by 2025. This financial support also ensures the creation of 14 new jobs at FoodCloud.
Established in 2013, FoodCloud has developed a cutting-edge tech platform that effectively connects retailers, food businesses, and restaurants – including major brands such as Aldi, Booker UK, Dunnes Stores, KFC, Lidl, Nandos, Tesco, and Waitrose – to food banks, community groups, and charities in need of surplus food.
FoodCloud is currently active in reducing emissions across five markets within Ireland, Europe, and Africa, and plays a leading role in promoting circular economy practices in global food systems. The funding from Enterprise Ireland will strengthen FoodCloud’s core technology as the organization expands its operations into new markets.
The R&D funding provided by Enterprise Ireland will empower FoodCloud to further refine and develop its groundbreaking platform, Foodiverse. This will solidify its position as a leading tool for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting for new and existing domestic and international partners across various food-related industries, such as retail, food service, primary processing, manufacturing, and at farm level.
Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, emphasized the importance of reducing food loss and waste in combating climate change and transitioning to a circular economy. Coveney commended FoodCloud’s remarkable achievements in tackling both food waste and insecurity, and expressed his confidence that Enterprise Ireland’s R&D funding will enable FoodCloud to further expand its innovative food distribution platform, reach a wider audience, and amplify its impact.
Jenny Melia, Executive Director at Enterprise Ireland, affirmed the organization’s ongoing support for FoodCloud since its early days. Melia acknowledged FoodCloud’s leadership in digital innovation and its commitment to addressing climate change, expressing confidence that the funding awarded as part of their ambitious growth strategy will accelerate FoodCloud’s impact and deliver practical solutions to food businesses worldwide.
James Clifford, Head of Engineering at FoodCloud, recognized the significance of the Agile Innovation Fund grant from Enterprise Ireland. Clifford highlighted the grant as a pivotal point for FoodCloud in scaling up its food redistribution efforts and combating food waste on a larger scale utilizing their state-of-the-art Foodiverse technology. To date, FoodCloud has already redistributed over 98,000 tonnes of surplus food through its technology platform and physical hubs, facilitating a staggering 235 million meals and reducing CO2 emissions by over 315,000 tonnes.
