For many people with food allergies or sensitivities, eating out can feel not only stressful, but also unsafe. This reality is what led three California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) graduates to build SafePlate Technologies, a startup working to improve food safety testing and restore trust in the food supply chain. 

Founded by Mitchell Dann (Mechanical Engineering,’24), Avery Taylor (Computer Engineering, ’24) and Nahal Sadeghian (Mechanical Engineering, ’24), SafePlate is developing a food contaminant testing solution designed to be easier to use and more informative than current methods on the market. By allowing food manufacturers to test more frequently and proactively, the team aims to reduce the risk of harmful contaminants reaching consumers. 

SafePlate began in a senior project class led by Dr. Thomas Katona and Dan Weeks in September 2023. Through the class, they discovered a shared common interest in addressing challenges within the food industry. As part of their project, the team conducted extensive interviews with individuals who had food allergies and intolerances. Those conversations became the foundation of the company. 

Through more than 100 interviews, the team repeatedly heard stories of people who avoided restaurants, restricted their diets or brought their own food to social gatherings because they didn’t trust food labels or preparation practices. Their interviews demonstrated that food safety concerns weren’t just about regulation—they were deeply personal. 

“A lot of people live very isolated lives because they don’t feel safe eating food prepared by others,” said Taylor, a Cal Poly electrical engineering master’s student CTO of SafePlate. “We believe if we can make testing better for the food manufacturer, they can change their labels to help people feel safe.” 

After completing their senior project, the team joined the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s (CIE) 2024 Summer Accelerator cohort. The Accelerator is an intensive 12-week program that provides Cal Poly students and recent graduates with the resources necessary to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups. Participants in the Accelerator receive $10,000 in seed funding, as well as access to expert mentorship, entrepreneurial workshops and a dedicated workspace in the HotHouse, the CIE’s office located in downtown San Luis Obispo.

The Accelerator helped the team shift from an academic mindset to an entrepreneurial one, introducing them to the realities of running a business and communicating their value to potential partners and investors. 

“The Accelerator was really our introduction to what it means to run a company,” said Sadeghian, SafePlate’s COO. “It helped us understand where to go next and how to start building something sustainable.” 

Following the Accelerator, the team was invited to join the CIE Incubator program, a two-year program that includes everything needed for early-stage companies to develop into financially stable, high-growth enterprises by providing the tools, training and infrastructure that help facilitate smarter, faster growth.

Joining the Incubator gave SafePlate access to dedicated office space, a network of advisors and a community of fellow founders navigating similar challenges. The founders say that combination has been critical to their progress. 

“My experience in the Incubator, to sum it up in one word, is fun,” said Taylor. “I get to go into work every day, work on my product and bug the other teams when they’re not in a meeting. The community is the reason why I go to work every day.” 

One of the most impactful aspects of the program has been working with their assigned advisor, Jeff Erramouspe, who brings experience in sales and project management. His guidance has helped the team think more strategically about marketing and investor conversations. 

“At this stage, resources are limited, so having someone with real business experience who can help us avoid common mistakes has been huge,” said Dann. 

One aspect of the program the team values is its flexibility. While Dann and Taylor work on-site, Sadeghian works remotely from Los Angeles and travels to San Luis Obispo when possible. The program’s hybrid approach with both in-person and virtual offerings to programming and events has allowed the entire team to stay engaged and connected. “The Incubator does a great job of making sure I’m not missing out on anything,” Sadeghian said.

Earlier this year, the team attended the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Conference, the largest food science and food safety conference in the world, where they received strong interest from hundreds of manufacturers and suppliers eager for improved food safety testing solutions. “It really validated what we’re doing and where we’re going. It was a very fulfilling experience,” said Sadeghian.

SafePlate has also gained early validation through the VentureWell’s E-Team program, receiving a Phase 1 grant of $5,000 to support early development and customer discovery efforts. The team is currently applying for Phase 2 funding, which would provide up to $20,000 to further advance the technology.

The founders are cultivating investors and have been working with Ideaship to take the next steps in their journey. Ideaship has already made numerous strategic introductions and assisted the company in filing a provisional patent application. Ideaship is the venture capital affiliate of GTT Group.

“When people think about SafePlate, we want them to think about feeling safe and confident in the food they eat,” Taylor said. “Everyone deserves to enjoy food without fear.”