Blendid, an innovator in the food automation and robotics sector, announced the close of its latest oversubscribed round of crowdfunding. Hitting its $2 million target via 1,475 individual investors during a four-month campaign on StartEngine. Blendid has now raised a total of $20 million in investment through a combination of traditional venture capital, strategic investors and crowdfunding.
During its crowdfunding effort, Blendid signed a commercial agreement with a major commercial foodservice operator, which also made a strategic investment in the company, to help scale its manufacturing and operations. Blendid said its mission is to make healthy food more personalized and accessible.
With 10 patents, three trademarks and a NSF certification for its first product, Blendid's proprietary, contactless food operating system (foodOS) processes orders, payment, and pickup safely, efficiently and autonomously. Powered by machine vision and artificial intelligence technology, its foodOS measures and dispenses precise amounts of a wide range of ingredients for customized drinks, and then blends, pours, and stores each smoothie until a guest is ready for pickup.
Blendid is currently focused on growing its location footprint to increase its reach across the United States. Recently announcing its expansion plans to two new geographic areas, Blendid will use the additional funds to accelerate its expansion into the southern California and Georgia markets with openings in a variety of venues such as malls, airports, hospitals, universities and retail stores.
