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 company was in the Winter 22 batch), 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 it 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 and without any intermediaries.
The startup’s technology is a vital part for their business model. Alima’s main differentiator comes from their 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; plans include retailers and export trades, as well as adding food items that businesses like meat market chains are looking for, Vizcayno added in an interview with Techcrunch.