Partnership will allow community to engage with and fund start-ups working to create lasting, positive impact on future of food
AUSTIN, TX — February 11, 2015 – Barnraiser, a crowdfunding community designed to power innovations in healthy food and sustainable living, and The Food Lab at the University of Texas at Austin (Food Lab at UT) today announced a new partner channel on Barnraiser.us. The Food Lab at UT channel on Barnraiser (https://www.barnraiser.us/partners/the-food-lab-at-the-university-of-texas-at-austin), which launches today, will provide the opportunity for participants in The Food Lab’s Challenge Prize to raise awareness, build customers, and fund their growing business ventures.
The Food Lab at UT is a catalyst for scientific and cultural exploration, experimentation and innovation in the food system. The Barnraiser mission is to support the growth and success of food innovators like The Food Lab at UT and the pioneers within their community. The Food Lab Challenge Prize was launched in 2014 to encourage innovation at all primary touch points of the global food system from agriculture and distribution to packaging and healthy eating. Barnraiser is dedicated to providing a platform and community that will help The Food Lab at UT expand its reach within the food start-up community, creating a model of research, development and business success.
“The Food Lab at UT is committed to building a global network of partners such as Barnraiser, with like-minded missions,” said Dr. Robyn Metcalfe, founder and director of the Food Lab at UT. “Connecting startup companies participating in our Food Challenge Prize to the reach and fundraising capabilities available at Barnraiser helps to ensure future growth and business sustainability well beyond our competition.”
“Barnraiser is pleased to join forces with The Food Lab at UT to demonstrate the power of galvanizing a community to provide innovation across our food system. As our first channel partner, The Food Lab at UT will curate the best of innovation from within its community, helping to foster and promote crowd-funding projects that meet the challenges of providing healthy food and sustainable living. We look forward to a robust channel that demonstrates the aggregate impact of this powerful community,“ Eileen Chiarello, Barnraiser Founder.
Fans of The Food Lab at UT are encouraged to join the Barnraiser community by signing up, supporting projects of interest and sharing content.
About Barnraiser
Barnraiser (www.barnraiser.us) is a crowdfunding community designed to power healthy food & sustainable living to the tipping point. For the 41 million Americans and their global counterparts who align with health and sustainability, Barnraiser empowers them with an easy way to influence good food by connecting to modern-day food heroes, celebrating their stories, and collectively funding projects that positively shape our future. By partnering with other key constituents in the movement, Barnraiser aims to more quickly scale projects that lead to a healthier world. Founded by food and media veterans, Barnraiser launched publicly in September 2014 and has successfully funded marquee projects in the categories of food products, farming, education, community and media. Barnraiser has been featured by Fortune, Food & Wine, Sunset, National Geographic, San Francisco Chronicle, Civil Eats, Modern Farmer, TakePart and more.
About The Food Lab at UT
The Food Lab at The University of Texas (TFL) provides awareness of food issues, encourages and motivates students to engage with innovative food systems research, and provides support to startups that leverage university research and bridges the divide between academia and private enterprise. Founded in 2012 by Dr. Robyn Metcalfe and based in The School of Human Ecology, College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin, TFL serves as a catalyst for experimentation and innovation in the global food system. TFL is a project of Foodmakers, a 501c3 non-profit, based in Austin, Texas. It has launched several initiatives, including The Miracle of Feeding Cities digital magazine, The Miracle of Feeding Cities documentary film, and The Food Challenge Prize. For more information, visit utfoodlab.com, visit on Facebook and follow TFL on Twitter @TheFoodLabUT.
