Participated · Seed · Jan 2024

Yume operates a software platform for consumer packaged goods manufacturers to identify and redistribute excess inventory by listing SKUs, soliciting buyer offers, and automating donation flows. The platform lets manufacturers reach up to 30 buyers at once, ranks offers via an algorithm based on supplier preferences, and supports a donation waterfall to food rescue organizations. Yume monetizes through annual subscriptions and buyer commissions and reports a 100% year‑on‑year subscription renewal rate. Since founding in 2016 it has facilitated the redistribution of 8 million kilograms of surplus food, returned A$22 million to manufacturers, helped donate over 1 million meals, and works with more than 35 large‑volume active buyers including Sodexo and Accor. The company is based in Melbourne and is a government‑recognized certified social enterprise. It plans to use new funding to prepare its technology for international expansion and to double headcount this year, with 75% of new hires focused on tech and product. Yume operates an online wholesale marketplace that lists surplus food from manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors so businesses can buy discounted bulk quantities or charities can be connected for donation. The platform displays item information, images, available quantity, shelf life and minimum order, and allows suppliers to white-label listings. Yume only works with suppliers holding recognised food-safety certifications and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) accreditation. Most listings are free to upload and donate, and Yume takes a ten percent cut on each standard commercial sale. The company handles large-volume transactions (for example, two and a half tonnes of Norwegian salmon has been purchased) and sells categories including seafood, fruits and vegetables, poultry, snacks, dry goods and dairy. Yume estimates an addressable annual supply of 400,000–600,000 quality surplus food products in Australia and plans to use recent funding to expand operations across Australia before eventual international expansion.