Rebecca Szkutak
Senior Reporter, Venture
Welcome back to Found, where we get the stories behind the startups. This week, Darrell and Becca are joined by Matt Rogers, the founder and CEO of Mill, a startup that helps its customers turn their food scraps into farm feed. The former founder of Nest talked about what compelled him to jump back into entrepreneurship after years of investing, why he decided to focus on food waste, and how they built the startup’s closed-loop system.
The Journey Back to Entrepreneurship
Matt Rogers, a seasoned entrepreneur with a successful track record in the tech industry, had been investing for several years. However, his experience as a founder at Nest had left an indelible mark on him. He reflected on how his time at Nest had prepared him for the challenges of building Mill.
"I was fortunate enough to be part of the early days of Nest," Matt said. "That experience taught me so much about building and scaling a company. But, as I transitioned into investing, I found myself missing the entrepreneurial spirit."
Matt’s decision to return to entrepreneurship was not taken lightly. He had to navigate his own motivations and desires, considering whether he had what it took to build another successful startup.
"It wasn’t an easy decision," Matt explained. "I had to ask myself if I still had that fire in my belly. And, after a lot of reflection, I realized that I did."
Focusing on Food Waste
Matt’s journey back to entrepreneurship led him to focus on food waste – a problem he saw as both urgent and solvable.
"Food waste is a massive issue," Matt said. "In the US alone, we throw away about 40% of our food production. It’s staggering. And, at the same time, it’s an incredible opportunity to make a real impact."
Matt explained how his research led him to understand that the primary cause of food waste was not just lack of infrastructure but also consumer behavior.
"Most food goes bad because people don’t know how to store it or cook with it," Matt said. "It’s not just about creating better packaging or inventory management systems – it’s about changing human behavior."
Matt saw an opportunity to address this issue through Mill, a platform that helps customers turn their food scraps into farm feed.
Building the Closed-Loop System
The closed-loop system at the heart of Mill was designed to be both efficient and scalable. Matt explained how they achieved this by combining technology with human expertise.
"We use AI-powered sorting machines to separate organic waste from non-food waste," Matt said. "But, then we also work closely with farmers who can take that waste and turn it into nutrient-rich feed for their animals."
Matt emphasized the importance of collaboration in building Mill’s closed-loop system.
"Our success relies on partnerships with major food companies, restaurants, and farmers," Matt explained. "We’re not just solving a technical problem – we’re also working to change behavior at scale."
Designing for Impact
As a former designer at Apple, where he worked on the original iPhone, Matt brought a unique perspective to Mill’s design choices.
"When I was at Apple, I learned that great products aren’t just about aesthetics," Matt said. "They’re also about functionality and ease of use. At Mill, we applied those same principles to our platform."
Matt highlighted how the user experience was crucial in making the Mill platform accessible to a wide range of customers.
"We designed our platform with user-friendliness in mind," Matt explained. "Whether it’s for a small restaurant or a large food manufacturer, we want everyone to be able to use our service without feeling overwhelmed."
Conclusion
Matt Rogers’ journey back to entrepreneurship was marked by a passion for solving the pressing issue of food waste. Through Mill, he aims to create a closed-loop system that not only reduces waste but also makes a significant impact on human behavior.
As Matt concludes, his story serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs and investors alike – proof that it’s never too late to pursue your passions and make a real difference in the world.
"I’m grateful for this opportunity," Matt said. "It’s not just about building another successful startup – it’s about leaving a lasting legacy."
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