We are a fast-growing next generation food supply business, on a mission to transform how food is accessed and distributed within cities. We source quality meat, seafood and plant-based products directly from producers and we deliver to professional kitchens.

With our unique delivery model, automation and by going direct to the source, we are able to offer market-beating prices and reliable service, all underpinned by a commitment to sustainability.

CommonVC is an accelerator that discovers and helps global founders working on solutions to help the world transition from an extractive economy to a more regenerative and sustainable economy.
 

Our current focus: 'Plastic Waste/ Circular Economy'
Mission 1: To remove 300,000,000 tons of plastic from the world economy.

As we know, 'Plastic Pollution' is directly linked to air quality, food waste, modern day slavery, climate breakdown, human health, the destruction of ecosystems and so much more. It is an issue across industries like food & drinks, personal care, transportation, fashion, construction, sports, aviation etc. Hence we are taking a holistic approach and we will help founders find real-world solutions to this problem which affects us all. 

Company Shop Group is the largest commercial redistributor of surplus food and household products in the UK.
We enable some of the biggest retailers, manufacturers, food service and logistics providers to unlock value from surplus stock, which may have otherwise gone to waste.

Our incredible story started five decades ago and, today, we employ over 700 people and handled 70 million items in 2018 alone.

The stock we purchase is redistributed through Company Shop - a network of six membership-only stores - at discounted prices, to individuals who work in the food manufacturing supply chain, emergency services or the NHS.

Stock donated by our supply chain partners powers our award-winning social enterprise Community Shop, where members can purchase deeply discounted products. The revenue raised here is used to deliver personal development programmes supporting members to live fulfilling lives, resulting in stronger individuals and more confident communities.

Compassion in World Farming was founded 50 years ago in 1967 by a British farmer who became horrified by the development of modern, intensive factory farming.

Today we campaign peacefully to end all factory farming practices. We believe that the biggest cause of cruelty on the planet deserves a focused, specialised approach – so we are relentlessly focused on ending factory farming.

Compassion in World Farming is a registered charity in England and Wales (registered charity number 1095050) and a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (registered company number 4590804).

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR

• Our award winning undercover investigations have exposed the reality of modern intensive farming systems and brought the plight of farm animals to the attention of the world's media
• Our political lobbying and campaigning has resulted in the EU recognising animals as sentient beings, capable of feeling pain and suffering.
• We have also secured landmark agreements to outlaw the barren battery cage for egg-laying hens, narrow veal crates and sow stalls across Europe
• Compassion in World Farming’s Food Business team is working with some of the world’s biggest food companies - retailers, producers and manufacturers. The companies we work with are a key part of the drive towards a more ethical and sustainable food supply.
• Our Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards are already benefiting millions of animals each year. 613 million animals are set to benefit each year as a result of our Good Award winners’ policies.

We’re passionate about the power of product to transform people’s lives, on a massive scale. We fundamentally believe that products made with love and loved by many are crucial factors for success and scale. So we’ve created a distinctive VC firm that is singularly focused on Founders who are instinctive about product.

The Founders who build those products are few and far between, so we cultivate our portfolio through quality, not quantity. We’re specific, single-minded and selective. We are driven by the potential of the upside rather than paralysed by fear of the downside.

We are a lean, collegial and partner-driven firm. Yes or no, right or wrong, fit or unfit. It’s binary. All in. We’re here to work for our Founders. Only they can build the business. Our role is to be the ones they can rely on. To give them tough love, hard truths and solid backup. Our promise is to enable them to realise theirs.

Connect. Where Product Founders Fit.

Connecting Food is developing an authentication system based on block-chain technology that would allow food operators to get real-time insight into whether a given product meets End Product Specifications (EPS), The company is developing an approach that would help detect issues at an early stage and allow the problem to be managed effectively potentially saving the industry millions by reducing contamination that results in product recalls

Since 1995 Crescent Capital has been supporting and building high-grade venture backed companies in Northern Ireland. We back the creative teams, the determined, the passionate and the indefatigable, the independent thinkers.

We thrive on meeting potential investee businesses. We seek out the bold, creative and independent thinkers. We like to meet teams at an early stage to start a conversation that will hopefully develop a mutual understanding and common purpose – the core of our partnerships.

We immerse ourselves in these companies, their product, their customers and their management team. We primarily offer companies funding but crucially we also provide guidance, expertise, experience and exposure to a network of relevant business contacts.

Through partnering with us local companies are transformed into thriving global businesses. This undoubtedly brings challenges to the company. But by having an open and honest relationship from the outset, both Crescent and the investee company will have a unified vision where challenges are foreseen, planned for and overcome together.

CRESCENT NURTURING - When we commit to investing in a business we are not only committing to developing its commercial potential but also the talents of the people within the business.

We are adept at seeing the often submerged qualities of entrepreneurs and by passing on our knowledge, expertise and guidance we help develop outstanding management teams.

We expose teams to the requirements needed to grow global businesses. We know these entrepreneurial individuals will thrive on meeting the challenges of transforming their businesses and we will empower them to do so.

CRESCENT DILIGENT - We couple our enthusiasm for investing in exciting businesses with thorough diligence of the proposition and the business. It is our duty to the potential investee company as well as investors to scrupulously carry this out.

We wish to craft a bespoke deal that will maximise success for the investee business. Initial diligence will take place prior to the preparation of an investment proposal paper to the Crescent Capital III Investment Committee. Once the key terms of a deal is agreed, official diligence can begin. We research the market, customer and brand. We undertake psychometric profiling of the management team dynamics. We review the management structure and future hiring plans.

Additionally we help shape and refine a future-facing plan in the light of dynamically changing processes. All of this is formative, as the diligence process provides on-going insight and helps both parties develop a shared view of the journey ahead post investment.

We work hard to make the process as efficient and helpful as possible, usually completing in 8-12 weeks.

You will find us open, straight-forward, flexible and easy to work with. We also have a reputation for responsive support and going beyond what is expected to deliver innovative solutions that really work for your business.
 
Software – our core product - We continually invest in the development of our own software.

This ensures our customers get superb feature-rich solutions as well as a smooth on-going upgrade path. It also means we are able to quickly leverage new technologies and customise to meet exact requirements.

This focus on continuous innovation and putting our customers first are just some of the reasons why so many of our customers are still deriving value from our solutions literally decades on.

Operating expenses are up and income is down throughout the entire food service industry. After taxes and expenses restaurants that make money, according to the National Restaurant Association, have bottom lines at 0.5 – 3.0 percent of sales. This tiny percentage is the difference between being profitable and going under, and it drives home the importance of controlling food cost. The best way to control food cost is to have a proper food-rotation system in place. Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, DayMark Safety Systems is the leader in personal, facility and food safety systems. Founded in 1989, DayMark specializes in products that assist restaurants and other food service establishments in complying with FDA and other compliance codes.

With our industry leading commitment to the customer through authorized distribution, DayMark offers ease of purchase and sales programs designed to support customer choice. DayMark Food Safety products are served globally through our network of trained food service distributors.