Launched in 2019, SIMPLi is an ingredient company that works directly with farming communities worldwide to eliminate unnecessary middlemen, shorten and streamline supply chains, and reduce fraudulent activity. To achieve that aim, SIMPLi uses IoT technologies to help farmers in places like Greece and Peru who use regenerative farming techniques and helps them command an above-market premium for their crops. SIMPLi has helped 560 farmers transition to more sustainable farming techniques.
“Right now, our vision as a company is to have a seamless traceable platform that our clients, from a B2B perspective, and our consumers, can leverage directly to see the full international supply chain for each ingredient that they either consume or purchase from us,” said Matthew Cohen, SIMPLi cofounder told me recently.
SIMPLi’s data tracking starts at the farm, where it tracks soil and crop health. In processing facilities, the company’s sensors ensure that nothing is tampered with. Once loaded onto cargo ships, SIMPLi uses GPS tracking and sensors that track the temperature and other environmental metrics are implemented. Arriving at facilities in the U.S. is one of the last steps before reaching the client.
There is “a lot of different touchpoints where we’re using technology and there’s a lot of data along these touchpoints that we want to capture, which we’re already doing today,” said Cohen.
Murky supply chains can hide major issues like slave labor, animal welfare, food fraud, child labor, ingredient sourcing, and environmental pollution. With emerging reports of these issues, consumers are asking for better options. They’re rewarding companies that give it to them; A recent survey found that 94 percent of consumers are more likely to stay loyal to a completely transparent brand. Additionally, 55 percent of customers shared that social responsibility and sustainability were important factors when deciding what product to buy.
SIMPLi recently raised an undisclosed seed round and launched its regenerative organic red, white, and tri-colored quinoa in 49 Whole Foods locations on the East Coast. Its e-commerce site hosts products such as sustainability-grown olives, olive oil, and quinoa. If you’ve eaten food from Sweetgreen, Daily Harvest, or &pizza, there’s a good chance you may have already eaten SIMPLi’s quinoa, gigante beans, artichokes, or olive oil.
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