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

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