Techstars Invests in PairAnything to Accelerate Winetech Innovation
First Techstars Investment in the Greater Sacramento Region
Davis, CA - Pair Anything, Inc. receives funding from the world’s most active pre-seed investor to bring consumer inclusivity and data-driven innovation to the world of wine. Techstars has invested in more than 8,600 founders, as diversified as they are unique, from Miami and Silicon Valley to Lagos and London. Now, Techstars investment has arrived in Davis, California for a rising food and beverage tech startup founder.
Pair Anything, Inc. provides an AI-powered digital platform for retail businesses to attract a wider consumer audience, while setting the trend in Connected Commerce. Filipina-American founder Christy Serrato is determined to help food and beverage businesses—specifically wine retailers—to reach underserved consumers who are culturally-diverse like her, and the younger generation who are growing in purchasing influence. New Majority consumers differ from the “typical” wine consumer persona, yet are similar in their demand for the same level of online engagement and shopping experience for alcohol purchases, that they have with other products. With Pair Anything, one of the largest retailers in the U.S. is leading the industry with a novel, connected wine pairing experience that appeals to more shoppers, opening up across-the-aisle opportunities to boost basket size.
"Christy's dedication, passion and unwavering determination has led her to develop and adapt her venture through the Bâtonnage mentorship program for women in wine, which is dedicated to creating lasting change within the wine industry by supporting and empowering women like her. It's been a pleasure to have Christy as a member of our community and through mentorship, she has been paired (pun intended!) with and connected with various professional women in the wine industry which has helped her with valuable insights to innovate and grow PairAnything,” said Annette Alvarez-Peters, founder of annette a.p. wine & spirits inc and former Costco VP - Beverage Alcohol.
Founder Christy Serrato at Techstars 2023 Foundercon
Known for backing many of the world’s best and brightest entrepreneurs, Techstars invested $100,000 in Pair Anything through Rising Stars, a pre-seed fund that provides promising underrepresented founders with access to capital at the beginning of their startup journey. Techstars Managing Director Neal Sáles-Griffin shared his enthusiasm by saying that “we are excited to support PairAnything because of Christy's personal connection to the problem, her genuine passion, and her vision for the company's future.”
Pair Anything, Inc. is the first company in the Greater Sacramento Region to receive backing from Techstars. “Greater Sacramento is experiencing incredible market momentum, and global investors like Techstars are taking note. Due to our close proximity to the Bay Area, the region is accelerating inclusive economic growth, through programs like FourthWave, to position PairAnything and other startups for success,” Greater Sacramento Economic Council President and CEO Barry Broome shared.
“We are thrilled that Techstars has recognized Christy Serrato’s dedication to turn Pair Anything from a promising idea and 2019 Big Bang! award winner into an impactful and growing business today” said Joe DiNunzio, Executive Director of the Mike and Renee Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UC Davis. “Beyond her success with Pair Anything, we also celebrate Ms. Serrato’s commitment to serve as a supportive mentor and powerful advocate for the entrepreneurial community in our region.”
As a FourthWave alumna and entrepreneur in residence, Ms. Serrato grasps the importance of investing in women as an effective way to reduce economic inequality. She shares that the backing from Techstars sparks a multiplicative impact: “My gratitude goes beyond the financial boost, which is profound given that WOC founders receive less than 1% of startup funding. It’s the ripple effect that this check creates—to open doors to other investors, more customers and new partners and accelerate scaling our business to positively impact the economy. As a Techstars portfolio company, I gain access to a worldwide network for unparalleled mentorship and wider opportunities for growth.”
Related Articles
Techstars Invests in Pair Anything to Accelerate Winetech Innovation - Wine Industry Advisor
Techstars Invests in PairAnything, Davis-based Developer of Wine-Pairing Tech Platform - Sacramento Business Journal
TechStars Invest 100K In PairAnything - StartupSac
Startups to Watch: Davis-based Pair Anything uses AI to suggest wine pairings - Sacramento Inno
Pair Anything uses AI to suggest wine pairings - BizJournals: BizWomen
About Pair Anything, Inc.
PairAnything is the WOC-led food and beverage technology company that is bringing consumer inclusivity and data-driven innovation to the world of wine. We exist to democratize the way wine is enjoyed. For large retailers that desire to engage more shoppers in a personal and ground-breaking way, PairAnything provides an in-store digital companion for wine discovery that curates an authentic connection and delivers unique insights to grow sales. PairAnything launched in 2019 after winning the UC Davis Big Bang! Business Competition for Food & Agricultural Innovation. To learn more, visit www.PairAnything.com and follow us on www.facebook.com/PairAnything and @PairAnything on Instagram and X.
Contact
Samantha Contreras, Media Relations 213-448-4312 | Media@PairAnything.com