As a computer science student in Urbana, Illinois, Raj Karmani had almost no clue about running a restaurant or grocery store. He only knew that if leftover bagels at his neighborhood bakery were landing in the trash while people all over the city were going hungry, something didn’t add up.
In 2013 Raj aimed his technology skills at the problem by founding Zero Percent, a startup that uses a unique mobile software app and online platform to connect local businesses that have excess food with community service organizations seeking donations. So far, his company has redistributed more than 1.5 million meals from over 150 food operators to more than 120 nonprofits.