Purdue University Students Develop Vegan Froyo Vending Machine

Vegan frozen yogurt startup FroYo Xpress—created by Purdue University students Marek Davis, Aarti Panda, and Henry Berkemeier—will open its first self-serve kiosk on the university campus next month. The kiosk will offer chocolate and vanilla coconut-based frozen yogurt in small and large cup sizes with optional toppings such as mixed nuts, granola, and dark chocolate chips. “Our mission is to provide healthier alternatives to traditional American desserts for all consumers to enjoy,” Davis told VegNews. “In order for all consumers to enjoy our self-serve experience, we use ingredients that are 100-percent all-natural, and do not have any dietary constraints. We choose dairy-free products because it includes students of all kinds on our campus, allowing everyone to enjoy FroYo XPress.” The startup has already received nearly $35,000 in funding from the university through entrepreneurial contests, such as the Burton D. Morgan Business Model Competition and the Baylor New Venture Competition. Davis, who is a senior industrial engineering student and vegan himself, aims to raise $500,000 in investment capital after graduation to expand the kiosks to targeted locations in Indiana and the Midwest.