The Ultimate 2014 Food Tech Holiday Gift Guide
Searching for the perfect presents for all the food nerds in your life? Have no fear, our Food Tech Holiday Gift Guide is here. We’ve culled together tons of food gadgets, books, subscription boxes and more that are sure to satisfy everyone on your list.

Food Tech Media Startup Funding, M&A and Partnerships: October 2014
Food Tech deal activity was robust in October with 8 acquisitions and 12 financings, as the sector reported an influx of $32.3 million.

Last Week's Top Food Tech Innovation & News Stories
7 Kick-ass food crowdfunding campaigns, what to expect from food in 2015 and more.

We're partnering with Force Brands to launch a new event series dedicated to learning from failure. Join us at Force Brands HQ this Thursday, December 11 at 7 PM. Hear lessons learned from Plated, Sweet Loren's, Health Warrior and Phin & Phebes. RSVP here.

Great Lakes Ag Business Incubator Opens - GRBJ
The Ottawa county incubator is aimed at bolstering the local economy by leveraging its strength in agriculture and manufacturing technology.

Here’s an In-Depth Look at Chicago’s Breakout Year in Tech, From A-Z - ChicagoInno
Food tech startups like Food Genius, Fooda & Meal Sharing make up one of the strongest sectors in Chicago's innovation economy in 2014.

Incubating a New Food Industry in Metro Detroit - Metromode
After navigating the complicated process on their own, Ferndale's Garden Fresh owners decided to help other foodpreneurs do the same and launched The Seed food incubator.

Big Risks are Part of Growing the Local Food Economy - Portland Press Herald
Food entrepreneurs from MOO Milk and Costal Farms & Foods Inc. share stories of their failures.

Instacart Is Raising North Of $100 Million At A $2 Billion Valuation - TechCrunch
The grocery delivery service is raising a massive Series C and sources indicate that Kleiner Perkins is leading the round. The latest valuation is quadruple the $400M valuation of its Series B financing from June.

Girl Scouts Byting Into Digital for Cookie Sales - Associated Press
The organization will allow its young go-getters to push their wares using a mobile app or personalized websites.

Watch out Amazon Fresh: Uber expands grocery delivery in D.C. - GeekWire
It doubled down on its Washington, D.C. grocery delivery service, expanding the number of products just in time for the holidays.

Door to Door Organics Announces Milwaukee Expansion in Spring 2015 - Herald Online
This expansion is the first following the company’s recent round of $25.5 million in Series B financing. The startup plans to announce additional markets before the end of 2015.

Too Busy to Shop for Groceries? Pick Them up at Your Metro Station - Washington Post
The transit agency is negotiating an agreement with Giant Food to allow the chain’s in-house delivery service, Peapod, to set up distribution areas in D.C. metro stations. 

Here’s the Secret Behind the Whirlwind Success of New Food startup U-Be-Livin-Smart - Financial Post
The startup has a founding team with more than 60 years’ experience in food, complementary skills, and shared commitment to a cause that’s bigger than business.

This Startup Making Dog Treats from Insects is Gaining Popularity on Reddit - Tech Cocktail
Hoping to approach dog treats in a more sustainable manner, EntoBento has created dog treats made from insects. 

Even Beer Doesn't Sell Itself. How Sam Adams' Founder Learned to Pitch Boston Lager - Upstart
Brewing is only half the battle. Jim Koch He had to learn how to sell, and now he's helping other upstarts perfect their sales pitches.

Amazon Has Launched A GrubHub Rival For Food Takeout & Delivery - TechCrunch
Amazon has launched it's new Takeout & Delivery service in Seattle.

Starbucks Schools Silicon Valley (Again) With Launch of iPhone Ordering - Wired
Fusing mobile and physical commerce on a massive scale, Starbucks is once again outpacing Silicon Valley.

Dinner Lab Introduces New Approach to Fundraising, Turns Members Into Investors - Forbes
The startup is allowing its members to invest in Dinner Lab through a Private Placement offering. 

Four Months After Acquisition, Square Launches iOS App For Food Delivery Service Caviar - TechCrunch
Since it's $90M acquisition, the service has been adding new markets and now has an app.

Kokonas and Achatz Taking Restaurant Ticketing System National - Chicago Business
The pioneering restaurant ticketing system will roll out nationwide in early 2015 under a new company called Tock.

Pizza Hut Wants to Read Your Mind - Washington Post
Pizza Hut is now testing technology that allows diners to order within seconds, using only their eyes. 

Revel Systems Gets A $1.2M Grant To Expand Its iPad Point-Of-Sale Business In Europe - TechCrunch
The round came from Invest Northern Ireland and will be used to open an office in Belfast.

How Guest-Facing Tech is Driving Restaurant Biz - Hospitality Technology
A rundown of the benefits of a few next-generation technologies, including tips for deciding what’s right for your restaurant.

Location-based Online Food Ordering Startup TinyOwl Raises $3M from Sequoia, Nexus - VCCircle
The startup will use the funding to expand its presence. 

The Business of Urban Farming Takes Root in Detroit - Entrepreneur 
Entrepreneurs see a business opportunity to grow locally, reinventing the way the land is used, while creating sustainable products.

Vertical Farms Will Be Big, But for Whom? - Fast Company
Indoor farming might help feed millions, or at least make millions. 

Surprise: Agriculture is Doing More with IoT Innovation than Most Other Industries - VentureBeat
VCs invested a record amount in agriculture and food startups in the third quarter this year, totaling $269 million across 41 deals.

Can Local Food Thrive in Industrial Ag’s Heartland Stronghold? - TakePart
Iowa has long been known for its connection to large-scale commodity crop production, but the tide may be turning.

Food-Coaching Apps Rise and Noom Keep You on Track — At a Cost - re/code
Food-coaching apps are worth a try, but only you can determine whether they’ll fit into your budget in the long run.

Of Carrots And Kids: Healthy School Lunches That Don't Get Tossed - NPR
Public health advocates are promoting school lunch standards that require healthier foods. School lunch providers say these rules are wasting money and time, because food is getting wasted.

5 Instagram Food Photographers Who Keep Fans and Brands Hungry for More - AdWeek
Niche, a platform that helps brands find social media influencers, highlights five top food-based marketing Instagrammers. 

Kitchenbowl Rising To Top Food App Ranks - Forbes
The Instagram-for-recipes app launched on Nov. 22nd and has already amassed hundreds of recipes and users in 500+ cities. 

We’ve got the perfect present for every food entrepreneur on your list. Online classes to help them launch and grow their business. What says “I love you” more that the gift of success? Save 25% on all classes with the code "giftofsuccess" through January 1 HERE.

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