Two local startups—Alto and Gardenuity—have teamed up to bring a little sunshine to North Texans during the cloudy days of the coronavirus pandemic. The project embodies using your business in the best way: rideshare Alto will be using its fleet of vehicles to deliver Gardenuity’s garden kits to doorsteps while residents practice social distancing throughout the region.

Each team said they wanted to come together during a time when anxiety is high and it’s important to unite as a community (from our own respective homes, that is). Gardening has been proven to reduce feelings of loneliness and “release you from your troubles,” Guy Barker, Chief Horticulturist of the Royal Horticultural Society, says.

So beginning this week, customers will have free same- or next-day delivery of complete gardens, along with the tools needed to enjoy the growing experience. Simply enter ALTO at checkout.

[Photo: Courtesy Gardenuity/Alto]

Gardens are a way to become one with nature during times of uncertainty, which can help keep people grounded and gratuitous, Gardenuity’s CEO Donna Letier says. “Gardens are an opportunity to nurture and be nurtured. They offer a way to connect to be a part of something good.” 

Letier’s startup was built on that sort of thinking. Gardenuity combines patent-pending technology and science to make modern gardening simple, ship-able, and customizable, no matter where you live. Letier is on a mission to build a lifestyle brand that reinvents the experience, while at the same time spreading the wellness benefits of gardening across the country.

[Photo: Courtesy Gardenuity]

Each container garden comes with everything needed to start growing: fully rooted plants and nutrients to match a customer’s location, coir, foundation compost, soil primer and PH toner, a portable and reusable bag, and a year-long membership (essentially a personalized growing partner that assists with the gardening experience).

And you’ll get it as soon as possible in an Alto car.

[Photo: Courtesy Alto]

The on-demand ride service was founded in late 2018 after a $13 million raise. The service runs something of a middle ground between rideshare giants and traditional black car services: Alto has safe, vetted cars it owns and maintains, but the basic business model revolves around both a monthly membership fee and individual booking fees for each ride. 

In the wake of COVID-19, Alto has also begun offering pick-up and delivery services for items that people need, but don’t want to leave the house to get. CEO Will Coleman says the business has been rapidly evolving to serve customers’ evolving needs. He wanted to be able to support his drivers and a fellow Dallas-founded startup at the same time.

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