Drinking whiskey is good but thanks to Chivas Regal, you can now drink it and do good!
Every year, the Chivas Venture gives away $1 million in funding and expert coaching to social entrepreneurs, who blend profit and purpose to have a positive impact on the world… just like Chivas does with their whisky. Launched in 2014, the global platform has received over 10,000 applications and supported 120 startups. From turning plastic waste into affordable housing and cow manure into sustainable fashion, these startups have already enriched the lives of more than 2 million people in over 50 countries, across 6 continents.
This year, a panel chose Strella Biotech, a startup creating bio-sensing platforms that can predict the ripeness of fruits. They use this information to optimize the supply chain and increase produce quality, as the U.S. representative of the global competition.
“I stumbled across the fact that 40% of food is wasted before it is consumed and thought it was the most ridiculous thing I’d heard in a while,” says Strella BioTech Founder Katherine Sizov of the company’s inspiration. “I went to my grocery store and asked why there was food waste, and the answers the grocers gave led me further up the supply chain until I found some really big sources of food waste I thought I could solve.
This year’s panel of judges included television personality Andi Dorfman, Krost CEO Samuel Krost, The Influencers Dinner Founder Jon Levy and Chivas Regal VP of Marketing Sona Bajaria. “I am humbled to be part of a brand with a long history of generosity and entrepreneurship that has built a program around supporting the next generation of social entrepreneurs,” says Bajaria. “Every year, Chivas Regal invests $1 million in no-strings funding for entrepreneurs that blend profit with purpose to create positive change for a better future.
“Strella BioTech stood out to our judges panel as they showcased a problem that is a massive issue with an attainable solution,” she adds. “We were incredibly impressed with their emerging technology and strong business plan, coupled with their passion for solving a $1 trillion issue in the US. Detecting food decomposition for the ability to ultimately eliminate food waste altogether is something that could completely change our world for the better.”
Now, Strella will move on to the final competition this summer where they will face off against 26 other startups all vying to make change our planet, one idea at a time.
“I’m super excited to represent the US as a part of the Chivas venture program,” sayd Sizov. “I want to convey the entrepreneurial spirit and technological advances that inspired me to start a business in the first place. I think the US presents an incredible opportunity for young people to pursue impactful global change.”
