
Shelf Engine is transforming the grocery supply chain by automating the ordering process for highly perishable foods. By leveraging intelligent forecasting and machine learning, the company helps retailers accurately predict demand, significantly increasing sales while drastically reducing food waste. Their unique business model not only optimizes inventory management but also handles vendor relations, allowing retailers to focus on enhancing customer experience. With a mission to reduce food waste, Shelf Engine has gained traction in thousands of retail locations across the country, making a substantial impact on both profits and sustainability.

Shelf Engine is transforming the grocery supply chain by automating the ordering process for highly perishable foods. By leveraging intelligent forecasting and machine learning, the company helps retailers accurately predict demand, significantly increasing sales while drastically reducing food waste. Their unique business model not only optimizes inventory management but also handles vendor relations, allowing retailers to focus on enhancing customer experience. With a mission to reduce food waste, Shelf Engine has gained traction in thousands of retail locations across the country, making a substantial impact on both profits and sustainability.
What they do: Automated ordering and demand-forecasting for highly perishable grocery items to reduce food waste and stockouts
Headquarters: Seattle, WA
Founders: Stefan Kalb (Co‑Founder & CEO) and Bede Jordan (Co‑Founder & CTO)
Notable funding: Series B $41M (Mar 18, 2021); Series A $12M (Jul 21, 2020)
Grocery supply chain optimization for perishable inventory and food-waste reduction
2016
Food retail technology
$800,000
Seed funding reported during Y Combinator participation
$12,000,000
Announced to scale engineering and sales
$41,000,000
Follow-on participation from multiple investors
“General Catalyst, GGV Capital, Initialized Capital, Foundation Capital, Founders’ Co-op, Soma Capital, Correlation Ventures, 1984 Ventures, Liquid 2 Ventures”