Over the past six months, the Ready2Scale Acceleration Program has helped 15 digital and deep-tech startups grow with mentorship, resources, and a €60,000 grant. One of them is ColorSensing, a startup revolutionizing food safety and reducing food waste through innovative smart label technology. Let’s explore their journey.
ColorSensing is dedicated to helping packaged food manufacturers reduce food waste and increase profitability. Their digital, multiparametric smart label provides real-time information on food quality and safety, accessible anytime and anywhere with just a picture.
The startup was founded by María Eugenia Martín Hidalgo and Dr. Daniel Prades. María Eugenia, an engineer with a strong background in technology and business management, spent six years working in innovation and entrepreneurship at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. She now serves as the Co-Founder and CEO of ColorSensing. Dr. Prades, the CSO and Co-Founder, is a Full Professor at TU Braunschweig, with over 100 published papers and nine patents. The technology that led to the creation of ColorSensing was developed within his research group at the University of Barcelona.
How did you come up with the idea to create a startup?
The idea for creating our startup came, on María Eugenia’s side, from a blend of experiences in technology transfer, startup services, and a desire to be directly involved in a project rather than just providing support. After completing a master’s program focused on Design Thinking, a mentor put María Eugenia and Daniel in touch. Daniel was developing a promising technology and wanted it to be transferred to the market and society to generate impact. Through brainstorming, market validation, and sector analysis, we realized its potential in food safety, leading to the creation of our company.
What have been the biggest challenges/failures and the biggest wins so far?
One of our biggest challenges has been building the right team, as hiring the right talent in the early stages was more difficult than expected. Additionally, we underestimated the technical complexity of developing our solution, particularly the chemistry involved. However, our biggest win has been successfully validating the market need for our innovation and making significant progress toward solving a key problem in food safety.
What sets your startup apart from competitors?
Our startup stands out from competitors by offering a patented smart label that utilizes advanced algorithms to deliver crucial food safety information through customizable, controlled access. Unlike traditional freshness indicators that rely on ambiguous color changes, our technology eliminates confusion by providing clear digital readings, allowing quality control personnel to access objective data without the need to interpret color variations. This innovation not only enhances traceability but also simplifies product management.
Why would you recommend the Ready2Scale Acceleration Program to other startups?
I highly recommend the Ready2Scale Acceleration Program to other startups because it offers a fantastic opportunity for growth. The program provides essential investment readiness training, access to a network of international mentors, and tailored workshops that really help you navigate the challenges of scaling in the digital and deep-tech space.
Where do you see your startup in 1 year? And where in 5 years?
In one year, I see our startup having successfully conducted multiple pilots to fully validate all aspects of our technology, leading to the adoption of our smart labels by several food manufacturers in Spain. In five years, I envision our solution being expanded to various European countries, such as France and Germany, as well as entering markets in the USA and Mexico, significantly contributing to the reduction of food waste on a larger scale.
Which books/podcasts/publications and influencers in your field do you follow and would recommend to other aspiring entrepreneurs?
Books:
- The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
- Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey A. Moore
- The Art of Startup Fundraising by Alejandro Cremades
- The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick
Podcasts:
- Food Safety Matters
If you’d get a chance to meet with Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos, what would you ask them?
I would express to Elon Musk my interest in his recommendations for rapidly scaling innovative technologies in highly regulated industries like food safety. I would mention to Mark Zuckerberg my desire to learn how to effectively use social media and data analytics to engage food manufacturers and drive adoption of our smart label solution. Finally, I would seek insights from Jeff Bezos on the specific practices he implemented to create a customer-centric culture that encourages feedback and innovation, particularly in the early growth stages of a startup.
If you’re inspired by ColorSensing mission and want to contribute to the company’s success, send a short introduction about yourself hello@color-sensing.com. For more information, visit https://www.color-sensing.com .