About Clean Plate
We're on a mission to turn plate waste into operational intelligence for institutional dining — clear, item-level data on what's wasted, why, and what to change, so budget decisions come first and sustainability reporting follows from the same numbers.
“Food Waste Just Got Served”
Founded
Headquarters
Our Mission
To make the world a more sustainable and resource-efficient place through the responsible application of data technologies that benefit our customers, shareholders, and society at large.
Our Vision
To be known as a leading innovative technology company worldwide in dining service management, fundamentally recognized as a pacesetter in what is achievable and possible in food service.
The Problem Everyone Overlooked
Across US foodservice, 78% of food waste goes straight to landfill — $122 billion of value thrown away each year. Back inside the dining facility, the industry has built tools for kitchen waste, which accounts for 34% of what those facilities waste. But the other 66%? The food left on the plate by the consumer? Nobody was solving for that.
We founded Clean Plate because we saw the gap firsthand — as diners, as operators, as people who believed technology could do more than just track the problem. We believe it can change behavior, drive ecological accountability, and unlock tremendous savings across scaled dining networks.
The Blind Spot
Two-thirds of institutional food waste happens at the plate — after it’s been served. Existing solutions ignore this entirely, focusing only on kitchen-side waste.
The Cost of Inaction
Across US foodservice, 78% of food waste goes straight to landfill — $122 billion of value discarded every year (ReFED, 2024).
Per Diner, Per Year
Based on our internal pilot-economics model, we estimate $53 per diner in annual savings.
The plate-level share is measured across institutional dining facilities (Costello et al., 2015); the $122 billion figure covers the whole US foodservice sector (ReFED, 2024). The two use different bases and are not multiplicable.
We Are “All Serving”
At Clean Plate, we serve everyone we work with — from the planet to the communities that support us.
The Planet
Encouraging everyone to fight for a sustainable future that benefits humanity.
Our Customers
Delivering innovative, high-quality solutions that benefit operations and profitability.
Our Partners
Being forthright in our business conduct, respecting commitments, and approaching affairs with a collaborative spirit.
Our Communities
Being compassionate and sensitive to the needs of the communities that have benefited us.
Leadership
Our team combines multi-faceted industry experience with deep technical abilities. Through rigorous customer discovery and curiosity, we understand this problem from the consumer's perspective.
Advisory Board
Industry leaders and experts who provide strategic guidance, sector insights, and mentorship to help drive our mission forward.
Our Journey
From a startup weekend to international accelerators, we're just getting started.
TechStars Startup Weekend Winners
Won first place, validating the solution and earning 6 months of free office space in Pittsburgh.
TechStars Startup Weekend Winners
Won first place, validating the solution and earning 6 months of free office space in Pittsburgh.
Innovation Works Robotics Factory
Admitted to Innovation Works' Robotics Factory program, gaining resources and connections.
Duquesne University Client Project
Selected as the client company for Duquesne's Product Innovation class — student teams delivered market-research and business-development projects for CPI.
Duquesne University Client Project
Selected as the client company for Duquesne's Product Innovation class — student teams delivered market-research and business-development projects for CPI.
AlphaLab Gear Cohort Progress
Advanced to the pitch round out of ~130 applications and passed into due diligence.
1st Place — Duquesne New Venture Challenge
First all-Duquesne leadership team to win the competition out of ~141 applications.
1st Place — Duquesne New Venture Challenge
First all-Duquesne leadership team to win the competition out of ~141 applications.
First Operational Pilot
Launched plate waste tracking at the Harvard Yale Princeton Club with Bistro to Go in Pittsburgh.
Unicorn Factory Cleantech Accelerator
Admitted to the European accelerator program, expanding reach into international markets.
Unicorn Factory Cleantech Accelerator
Admitted to the European accelerator program, expanding reach into international markets.
Apr 2025
1st Place — DNVC
Mar 2026
SVSD Pilot Deployment
AlphaLab Gear
Hardware Accelerator
Podcast Appearances
Hear our story in long form — from the technology behind CPIsight to the mission driving the company.
Chris Matthieu Interviews Clean Plate Innovations
Nolan sits down with Chris Matthieu to discuss how CPI uses Intel RealSense depth cameras for privacy-first food waste tracking.
Clean Plate, Clear Conscience
A conversation on the ethical dimensions of food waste and how technology can drive accountability in institutional dining.
Meet the Founder Fighting Food Waste Before the World Starves
Nolan breaks down the systemic inefficiencies in food service and how CPIsight turns plate-level data into operational change.
Follow Our Journey
Pilot milestones, case studies, and food waste insights — join the conversation across our channels.
Join us in the fight against food waste
Whether you're a dining operator, sustainability leader, or potential partner, we'd love to hear from you.