Chipotle Backs AI-Powered Platform, Plus a Fast Casual

From “cobot” integrations to international growth plans and more, Chipotle Mexican Grill has had a bustling fall.

The latest news for the Newport Beach, Calif.-based brand, however, is a fresh round of Cultivate Next venture fund backings. The $50 million fund debuted in the spring of 2022 with a goal to support early-stage companies that could “revolutionize” the industry.

Lumachain, a Sydney-based AI supply chain platform, was one of the latest businesses to capture a minority investment from the fund. The minority female-founded company offers real-time tracking of the origin, location and condition of individual farm-to-table items to enable reduced waste and increased efficiency, explains a press release. Curt Garner, chief customer and technology officer for Chipotle, says the software “could optimize the management and quality of perishable goods for the foodservice industry.”

Besides Lumachain, Chipotle also invested in the Columbus, Ohio-based fast-casual Brassica, a Mediterranean-inspired sandwich and salad concept using wholesome ingredients and sustainable practices. Brassica currently has six locations.

“Investing in emerging culinary concepts that align with Chipotle’s commitment to using real, fresh ingredients and making craveable food daily is consistent with our mission to ‘cultivate a better world,'” says Nate Lawton, Chipotle’s chief business development officer. “Funding from Cultivate Next’s minority investment will help Brassica scale to open new locations and expand to new markets.”

The Cultivate Next venture fund portfolio also includes GreenField Robotics, Hyphen, Local Line, Meati Foods, Nitricity, Vebu, and Zero Acre Farms.