Chipotle Program To Foster San Diego Livestock App Developer

SAN DIEGO, CA — Chipotle Mexican Grill has picked a San Diego-based livestock management app developer for a mentoring-coaching program as the technology that builds virtual fences should improve food supplies, a spokesperson for the Mexican restaurant chain said.

The Chipotle Aluminaries Project, an accelerator to help ventures around the country with food delivery, will offer Vence Corp. six months of aid with finances, leadership and business growth. One of its advisers will be Jason Mraz, a Grammy-winning musician and Chipotle avocado supplier, the spokesperson said. Vence will receive free burritos for a year, as well.

Vence offers a Web-based and smartphone app to help ranchers build virtual fences that optimize the placement of livestock for the health of the animals and the best yield of their grazing land.

Chipotle Mexican Grill chose Vence and seven other ventures for the current batch of mentees.

"Vence’s goal is to improve the affordability and availability of sustainable animal protein through virtual fencing and autonomous animal control," Chipotle spokesperson Erin Wolford told Patch on Friday. "It’s an innovative company that is focused on addressing a critical food issue of the future and building a more sustainable food system."

All eight companies picked most recently for the accelerator offer an “essential” product or service that “helps make responsibly sourced and sustainable food more accessible”, the restaurant chain said in a statement August 5.

Chipotle Aluminaries Project was set up to promote sustainable food systems around the country. Chipotle and the decade-old Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, a sponsor of the accelerator, have committed $5 million for the next five years to support new farmers. The chain has more than 2,850 restaurants in five countries.