A prototype of Clean Plate’s tech at Innovation Works Venture Expo. (Photo by Gavin Petrone/Technical.ly)

By Gavin Petrone, Technical.ly

Pittsburgh startup Clean Plate Innovations has secured a preliminary agreement for an undisclosed amount with healthcare giant UPMC Mercy Hospital.

The startup’s tech takes overhead scans of food trays at the hospital’s campus near Duquesne University to gauge food satisfaction and waste in the patient cafeteria. While it won’t be finalized until spring 2026, the partnership is foundational for the early-stage startup, according to Clean Plate founder Nolan Sulpizio. 

“[UPMC’s] initial goal was to have it go to all their locations,” Sulpizio told Technical.ly. “I mean, they still said they see a lot of value and they still want to do it. It’s just got to get postponed.”

UPMC is finalizing a separate partnership before moving on to the Clean Plate deal, Sulpizio said, but that’s not slowing down the barely one-year-old company.

Even though the deal with UPMC is on hold, Sulpizio said Clean Plate is still securing plenty of other partnerships.

At his alma mater, Duquesne University’s Palumbo-Donahue School of Business, Sulpizio and Clean Plate team members will lead an internship program for Duquesne students next semester. Nearby at the University of Pittsburgh, Clean Plate will be featured in classes on sustainability.

Clean Plate is also in talks with US Foods, Shady Maple and Golden Corral, which are all looking to partner with the startup, according to Sulpizio.

“We’re still moving forward,” Sulpizio said.

(For more of the story, visit Technical.ly)

Gavin Petrone is a student at Point Park University and one of 10 Pittsburgh Media Partnership summer interns.