/Companies

Shelf Engine

acquired by CrispYC S18

Seattle, US · Founded 2016 · 40 employees · 20 known investors

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Shelf Engine developed automated demand forecasting and ordering technology for grocery retailers, using machine learning to predict sales of perishable goods and reduce food waste. Its assets were acquired by Crisp in 2024.

Also known as Shelfbot Co.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareMachine LearningUnited States of AmericaAmerica / CanadaPartly Remote

Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (S18)

Shelf Engine was founded in 2016 by Stefan Kalb, Bede Jordan, Are Traasdahl, and Dag Liodden.

SKStefan Kalb
Stefan KalbCo-Founder & CEO2016–2025Stefan Kalb founded Shelf Engine, which served over 10,000 grocery locations before exiting in 2024. He is now developing AI software and co-founded an early-stage investment fund focused on YC founders.
BJBede Jordan
Bede JordanCo-Founder, CTO2016–2025Bede Jordan is CTO and co-founder of Shelf Engine, a SaaS company that used machine learning to forecast demand and reduce food waste in grocery retail. He led engineering and product teams spanning software engineers, data scientists, and designers, and has prior experience in web technologies, machine learning workflows, and performance optimization.
ATAre Traasdahl
Are TraasdahlCEO/FounderExecutive Officer, Director at Tapad
DLDag Liodden
Dag LioddenCPO/FounderCPO/Founder at Crisp
TM
Taylor MurrayPeople Operations \u0026 Payroll Specialist
DN
Deb NielsenHuman resourcesformer
SM
Sasha MartinHead of Recruitingformer
CJ
Claire JacksonRecruitingformer
EH
Eric HestonTechnical Recruiterformer
TS
Tanya SlovinRecruiting Consultantformer
JK
Jeff KindredSenior Technical Recruiterformer

Investors · 20

Foundation CapitalreportedPalo Alto · $250K – $15M

How we know: funding news · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Founders' Co-opreportedSeattle · $10K – $250K

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Hack VCreportedPalo Alto · $3M

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Inovia CapitalreportedMontreal · $250K – $8M

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

PioneerreportedToronto, Ontario

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Race CapitalreportedPalo Alto · $250K – $2M

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Venture Investment AssociatesreportedPeapack

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Funding

SEC filings, press & company announcements

$41M disclosed across 1 of 3 rounds · 2020–2021

Source: company announcements and press reports — follow each round's link for the claim.

The YC application· Summer 2018 batch

Founder mafia

2 people who came through Shelf Engine went on to found or lead other companies.

Related companies · 5

Companies working in the same space as Shelf Engine.

Legal entities · 1

corporate structure
Shelfbot Co.

In the news

Frequently asked questions

What does Shelf Engine do?
Shelf Engine developed automated demand forecasting and ordering technology for grocery retailers, using machine learning to predict sales of perishable goods and reduce food waste. Its assets were acquired by Crisp in 2024.
Who founded Shelf Engine?
Shelf Engine was founded by Stefan Kalb, Bede Jordan, Are Traasdahl, Dag Liodden in 2016.
Who are Shelf Engine's investors?
Shelf Engine's investors include General Catalyst, Initialized Capital, Lemonade Capital, Notable Capital, PLUS Capital, Soma Capital, VentureSouq, Y Combinator and 12 more.
How much funding has Shelf Engine raised?
Shelf Engine has disclosed $41M raised across 1 of its 3 known rounds.
Who acquired Shelf Engine?
Shelf Engine was acquired by Crisp.
Where is Shelf Engine headquartered?
Shelf Engine is headquartered in Seattle, US.