Cambridge Startup Raises £20M to Revolutionize Food Supply Chains

A promising tech startup in Cambridge has secured major funding to develop AI tools aimed at improving logistics and reducing waste in food distribution networks.

May 31, 2025 • By Amelia Shaw, The Angle Watch

Cambridge-based startup AgriLink has closed a £20 million Series B funding round led by Oakstream Ventures, with participation from several prominent European investors. The company, which specializes in AI-powered food logistics, aims to revolutionize how perishables are tracked, routed, and delivered across the UK and beyond.

Founded by three engineers from Cambridge University, AgriLink combines satellite monitoring, AI prediction models, and local sensor networks to anticipate delays and recommend real-time route adjustments. Its platform is already being piloted by two of the UK’s largest supermarket chains, with promising early results.

CEO Natalie Hooper emphasized the broader goal of reducing food waste in supply chains. 'Nearly 30% of fresh produce never reaches shelves due to spoilage or inefficiencies. Our mission is to address that with data-driven precision,' she stated in an investor briefing.

The startup’s technology enables supply chain managers to dynamically reroute trucks, adjust refrigeration based on weather trends, and even forecast shortages before they occur. These innovations are particularly critical for rural and underserved regions, where logistics gaps often lead to costly spoilage.

This funding will be used to expand AgriLink’s UK operations, grow its team from 45 to 110 employees, and open a satellite office in Birmingham. Additionally, the company is exploring cross-border trials in Ireland and the Netherlands in partnership with local distributors.

Experts in the agri-tech sector have lauded the announcement as a sign that sustainability and scalability can go hand in hand. 'AgriLink is showing that AI isn’t just for finance or social media—it’s a powerful tool for food security,' said Dr. Colin Archer, senior lecturer in logistics at Imperial College London.

The startup’s next milestone includes deploying its full logistics suite to a national wholesaler by the end of the year. If successful, it could set a precedent for how food distribution is managed in the climate-aware, post-pandemic economy.