Ready, Set, Food! raises $3m to prevent childhood food allergies

US-based company Ready, Set, Food! has raised $3m in a second funding round to develop new supplements to prevent food allergies.

The round was led by Danone Manifesto Ventures, entrepreneur Mark Cuban, and AF Ventures (formerly AccelFoods).

Established in 2017, Ready, Set, Food! produces supplements for babies that can be added into a bottle or food.

The company claims that these supplements help in safely introducing babies to peanut, milk and egg, as well as minimise food allergies.

Ready, Set, Food! co-founder and CEO Daniel Zakowski said: “We founded Ready, Set, Food! to educate and bring awareness to parents everywhere that through early allergen introduction, we could significantly reduce the risk of developing food allergies.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Danone Manifesto Ventures and Mark Cuban to bring critically needed attention to food allergies.

“Danone is one of the world’s top infant nutrition companies and we look forward to leveraging our strong relationship with the Danone Manifesto Ventures team and Mark Cuban to further our work towards helping to prevent babies from developing most severe food allergies.”

It is estimated that approximately 200,000 babies develop severe food allergies to peanut, egg and milk every year.

Danone Manifesto Ventures CEO Laurent Marcel said: “Health starts from the early days of life and as a result, we are excited to partner with Ready, Set, Food! and join them on their mission to reduce food allergies through the early introduction of simple, high-quality food allergens.

“Ready, Set, Food! has an outstanding team passionately committed to supporting even more parents in further reducing food allergies among babies. We look forward to working closely with them – alongside Mark Cuban and other investors – to advance their important vision and help enhance the health of future generations.”