How a College Student's Classroom Assignment Turned Into a Business With $14.5 Million in Funding The company claims its mission is to end hunger.

By Gary Bredow

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In 2015, a college student realized vast quantities of high-quality and over-supplied food went to the dumpster at his local supermarket every day. So, he partnered with his college mentor, Patrick Bultema, who raised $500,000 from family and friends to co-found a company with the mission to rescue this lost food and find a market for it.

Within a year, FoodMaven had 22 employees, serviced 120 restaurants and begins expansion into the Denver market. FoodMaven then announced a strategic partnership with Hilton Hotels and brought on a new CEO, Ben Deda. In 2019, FoodMaven closed a Series B round, bringing its total funding since the Series A to $14.5 million.

Related: How the Official Coin Maker of 'Game of Thrones' and 'Lord of the Rings' Got Started
Join host Gary Bredow as he travels around the country interviewing over 26 small business owners to hear their personal stories and find out what it really takes to start a successful business from the ground up. Energetic, inspirational and educational, Start Up is a fast paced new series sure to capture the imagination and hearts of the nearly 50 percent of Americans who dream of starting their own business.

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