Mexico-based supply chain startup Alima raised a $1.5 million seed round to scale its operations and develop data-driven tools for businesses to source produce.
The funding was led by Soma Capital, Y Combinator, The Dorm Room Fund, Seed9, Pareto, and a group of angel investors.
Alima’s platform digitizes and optimizes procurement, transport, and traceability using AI and analytics integration to reduce food spoiling.
Businesses can order items as late as 10 p.m. and have them delivered to their shops by 7 a.m., instead of going to the market each morning,
Alima was founded in March 2021 by co-founders Jorge Vizcayno and Blanca Espinosa.
According to Espinosa, one of the biggest obstacles to the supply chain is the number of intermediaries needed to obtain a high-quality product at a good price.
The startup’s solution is to reduce intermediaries through its technology, which allows for wholesale orders at a quality price.
Producers also benefit by receiving a fair payment for their food without any intermediaries.
The startup’s technology is a vital part of its business model. Alima’s main differentiator comes from its use of data, business analytics, and price construction based on algorithms.
Alima started last year with restaurants and hotels and is now expanding to schools, hospitals, and CPG factories.
Read more on Tech Gist Africa: