Believe India | विश्वस्त भारत’s Post

Finnest Acquires Majority Stake in Kitchens@ with $145 Million Investment! Exciting developments in the F&B industry! London-based private equity firm Finnest has made a significant move by acquiring a majority stake in Bengaluru-based cloud kitchen startup, Kitchens@. This major investment includes issuing 40,00,000 equity shares at Rs 3,000 each, raising a staggering Rs 1,200 crore ($145 million). Kitchens@, founded in 2018, provides turnkey solutions to top food brands like Domino’s, Subway, Taco Bell, and Nando’s, enabling them to expand their presence with comprehensive infrastructure, technology, and operation services. With this new capital, Kitchens@ aims to enhance its growth trajectory and solidify its position as a leader in the cloud kitchen space. This strategic investment underscores Finnest’s commitment to innovation and growth in the F&B sector. Kitchens@ has shown impressive growth, with a 67% increase in revenue in FY23, and continues to expand its footprint after acquiring Swiggy’s Access Kitchens business earlier this year. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development! #Finnest #KitchensAt #Investment #CloudKitchen #PrivateEquity #F&B #Startup #Growth #Innovation #BusinessNews Junaiz Kizhakkayil Read More: https://lnkd.in/gaUJzsn4

Today’s Startup: JustDeliveries ♦️The Beginning: Founded in 2022 by Mansi Mahansaria, who was inspired to improve India’s cold supply chain for perishables after witnessing unhygienic food deliveries. ♦️Product Offering: The company provides logistics solutions for perishable goods, offering deliveries to retail stores, e-commerce, Q-commerce hubs, and dark stores. They specialize in last-mile deliveries for fragile, perishable, and voluminous food products. ♦️Business Model: Their business model centres on providing specialized logistics solutions for perishable goods, ensuring timely and safe delivery at the right temperature. They cater to various clients, including retail stores, e-commerce platforms, Q-commerce hubs, dark stores, and food service chains like cloud kitchens, QSRs, and cafes. The company has received positive testimonials from various businesses, including The Nut Cracker & Subko Specialty Coffee Roasters and Craft Bakehouse, praising Just Deliveries for their reliable logistics services. ♦️Financials: Just Deliveries recently raised $1 million in a pre-Series A funding round in March 2024. The investment was led by NABVENTURES Fund, with significant participation from Faad Network Pvt. Ltd, Anay Ventures, Caret Capital, and the Mahansaria Family Office. Just Deliveries has been growing steadily, and while the exact revenue figures are not specified in the public domain, the company’s successful funding rounds indicate positive revenue. . . . . 👉 Follow us at Unbox Startups to keep updated on the latest trends and rising stars in the startup ecosystem. #Startups #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #D2C #ECommerce #StartupIndia #VentureCapital #Investing #growthhacking #unboxstartups #entrepreneurship

Ninecamp Ventures, a rising start-up known for managing high-quality brands in the food and beverage sector, has successfully raised $2 million in seed funding from a group of angel and non-institutional investors, as reported by Inc42. Founded by Chaitanya Mathur, a former Zomato executive, Ninecamp Ventures aims to deliver world-class dining and consumer products, emphasizing superior services, innovative design, and high-quality ingredients. Mathur, instrumental in launching Zomato’s live events platform Zomaland, has a 17-year career in the entertainment and event industry, with notable roles at Excited Monkey Entertainment, Banging Beats, and co-founding Grub Fest. The funding round featured several prominent investors from the startup ecosystem, including Zomato co-founders Mohit Gupta and Gaurav Gupta, Honasa co-founders Ghazal and Varun Alagh, Cars24 co-founders Vikram Chopra, Ruchit Agarwal, Mehul Agrawal, and Gajendra Jangid, along with PharmEasy co-founder Dharmil Sheth. “We truly envision that consumers in India will appreciate the next generation of food and beverage products we are building, especially in the dining space. We are starting with a few premium dining products and plan to expand into categories like quick service restaurants, casual dining outlets, and potentially delivery-only brands,” said Chaitanya Mathur, founder and CEO of Ninecamp Ventures, in an interview. Ninecamp Ventures launched its first restaurant, Marieta, in Gurugram in April last year. The leadership team includes COO Punweet Singh, formerly co-founder of beverage company Jade Forest, and Chief Marketing Officer Sukriti Chopra. The Indian food and beverage industry is on a robust growth trajectory, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27% until 2030, according to Inc42. Ninecamp Ventures aims to capitalize on this growth by expanding its footprint in the premium dining segment and exploring other areas such as quick service restaurants, casual dining outlets, and delivery-only brands. This move by Mathur is part of a broader trend of seasoned executives in the Indian startup ecosystem transitioning to entrepreneurial ventures. Notable examples include former Times Internet CEO Gautam Sinha, who recently launched an AI start-up called SimpleO.AI, and Swiggy executive Karthik Gurumurthy, who returned funding he had received to investors before starting his own venture. #NinecampVentures #Startup #SeedFunding #FoodAndBeverage #DiningExperience #InnovativeDining #RestaurantIndustry #PremiumDining #FAndBStartups #Entrepreneurship #IndianStartups #ChaitanyaMathur #ZomatoAlumni #QSR #GrowthTrajectory #BusinessExpansion #NextGenFandB #AngelInvestors #AllBoutCorps

Startups.co.uk have just released their list of the 100 top startups in the UK and guess what? 🥁🥁🥁....we've made the list! Startups 100 is the UK's longest-running index of new businesses, so we're pumped to be featured among other innovative companies tackling major challenges across multiple sectors. "Nory has earned its place on the Startups 100 by providing a tasty solution to a tricky problem for many hospitality operators. We believe that the proof is already in this pudding." See our feature and the full list: https://lnkd.in/e8knTGaj #Startups100 #RestaurantTech #AI

Let’s dive into the story of EATCLUB Brands (Formerly BOX8), a Mumbai-based cloud kitchen startup. ♦️The Beginning: Founded by Amit Raj and Anshul Gupta in 2012. Initially known as Box8, it started as a chain of dine-in and delivery outlets in Mumbai, serving Indian meals in a box. Later, it transformed into a multi-brand cloud kitchen model in 2014. ♦️Product Offering: EatClub Brands operates eight brands: MOJO Pizza, globo Icecream, NH1 Bowls, Mealful Rolls, Boom Sandwich, Hola Pasta, Itminaan Matka Biryani, and Box8. They expanded beyond Indian meals in a box to include separate brands for pizzas, rice bowls, wraps, and desserts. ♦️Business Model: EatClub Brands focuses on the cloud kitchen model, delivering meals through 150 kitchens across five cities: Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad. They own the entire value chain, from procurement to food preparation to last-mile delivery. The company also leverages its existing central kitchens and delivery network for additional brands. ♦️Awards and Endorsements: They onboarded actor Rajkummar Rao and actress Sara Ali Khan as brand ambassadors. ♦️Financials: In FY23, EatClub Brands recorded revenue of Rs 315 crore. EatClub Brands has raised a total of $102.7 million in funding over 11 rounds. Latest Funding Round: On March 9, 2022, they secured $30 million in a Secondary Market round. The company’s valuation following the funding round is Approx. $340 million. Investors of EatClub include A91 Partners, Tiger Global Management, Mayfield Fund, IIFL (India Infoline Group), Trifecta Capital, eWTP Arabia Capital, and more. For previous rounds of EatClub check the pinned comment. . . . . 👉 Follow us at Unbox Startups to keep updated on the latest trends and rising stars in the startup ecosystem. #Startups #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #D2C #ECommerce #StartupIndia #VentureCapital #Investing #growthhacking #unboxstartups #entrepreneurship

🚀 #FundingAlert — UAE-based cloud kitchen startup, The Cloud - Food Ecosystem, has announced the successful first close of its $12 million Series B funding round out of a total $30 million it is raising. 🍽️💰 The participation of MENA Moonshots as a new investor, along with debt financing from Aluna Partners, contributed to the Series B funding, which comprises a balanced mix of equity and debt financing. 🎯💡 This funding, along with the strategic acquisition of the UK-based #foodtech startup KBox Global, will drive The Cloud towards redefining the virtual dining landscape in the UAE, the wider GCC region, and Europe. This move sets the stage for expansion across the UK and other GCC and European markets such as Saudi Arabia, Lithuania, Belgium, and the Netherlands. 🇬🇧🌎 Founded in 2019 by Kamil Rogalinski and George Karam, The Cloud is a B2B2C foodtech a startup backed by Abu Dhabi-based tech accelerator Hub71. With a presence in 7 countries and 91 cities, the company has ambitious plans to reach 8,000 locations by the end of 2027. 🇦🇪🍴 This funding follows the $10 million Series A funding secured in September 2022, led by Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP) and Olayan Financing Company, with participation from Rua Growth Fund | OB - iMENA. 👇 For more information, check out the news: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gRVB6XfU #Technology #Innovation #Startup #Entrepreneurship #Business #TechNews #FoodTech #Dining #CloudKitchen #VentureCapital #FundingNews #Investment #StartupLife #SeriesB #Restaurang #FnB #Expansion #MENA #Europe #MEA #MiddleEast #Hub71 #TheCloud #StartupCommunity #VCfunding #BusinessGrowth #InnovationHub #StartupCulture

Ghost Kitchens India, a leading cloud kitchen #startup, has recently raised $5 million in a Series A funding round, showcasing the growing interest in the food delivery sector. The round, led by Gujarat Venture Finance Limited, also saw participation from NB Ventures, LetsVenture, Lead Angels, and existing investors Yuj Ventures, DHOLAKIA VENTURES, and actor Rana Daggubati. What is Ghost Kitchens India? Founded by Karan Tanna, Ghost Kitchens India is #revolutionizing the food delivery industry with its innovative cloud kitchen concept. The startup operates popular brands like Khichdi Paradise, Wakka Makka, and Bhayankar Burgers, delighting customers across Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and 40 other cities in India. Ghost Kitchens India provides cloud kitchen brands designed to boost #revenue and increase kitchen profits. By offering a plug-and-play food delivery concept within existing setups, the startup helps increase incremental sales and drive better margins. Additionally, Ghost Kitchens India offers a free tech platform to monitor sales and operational metrics, enabling businesses to organically grow orders. After a temporary shutdown due to COVID-19, Ghost Kitchens India relaunched in 2021 with a #strategic shift towards a fulfillment partner programme. The startup licenses its brands to existing restaurants and cloud kitchens, enhancing revenue through technology and supply chain solutions. With the new #funding, Ghost Kitchens India plans to open 25 quick-service restaurants with dine-in facilities, aiming for these outlets to contribute around 50% of overall revenues within 2-3 years. Ghost Kitchens India has made significant acquisitions, including celebrity Chef Vicky Ratnani's Speak Burgers and a technology company in 2022. These acquisitions have enabled the startup to develop proprietary technology for end-to-end business management, focusing on organic growth and customer experience. Ghost Kitchens India is on a path to #profitability, with plans to achieve annualized revenue of approximately Rs 200 crore in the next two years. The startup anticipates reporting Rs 40 crore in revenues for the financial year ending March 2024, with projections to scale to Rs 60-65 crore by FY26. Ghost Kitchens India's innovative approach to cloud kitchens, coupled with its strategic acquisitions and focus on profitability, positions it as a key player in the food delivery sector. With plans for expansion and a commitment to enhancing customer experience, Ghost Kitchens India is poised for continued success in the future. #cloudkitchens #fooddelivery #innovation #expansion #startupindia #businessgrowth #successmindset

🍽️ Ninecamp Ventures, a cutting-edge food and beverage firm, has just raised a remarkable $2 million (equivalent to ₹16 crore) in its seed funding round! 🚀 This infusion of capital comes from an impressive lineup of investors, including Mohit Gupta, Gaurav Gupta (former Zomato co-founders), Varun and Ghazal Alagh (the brains behind MamaEarth), Vir Das (the hilarious comedian), and Divine (the talented musician). 🌟 🌮 Founded by Chaitanya Mathur, who played a pivotal role in creating Zomaland for Zomato, Ninecamp Ventures aims to redefine the dining experience. 🌐 Their vision? To introduce a fresh wave of experiential dining, with a keen focus on global standards—from product quality and service to design and ingredients. 🌎 Their first restaurant, Marièta, a Latin American-inspired eatery and agave-forward bar, has already made waves in Gurugram. 🌮🍹 With this funding, Ninecamp Ventures plans to expand its brand portfolio, acquire prime real estate, onboard top talent, and invest in innovative concepts and products. Bon appétit! 🙌🏽🍴💰 #NinecampVentures #Funding #FoodAndBeverage #Expansion #Startup #Investment #BusinessGrowth #FandBIndustry #CompanyNews #Entrepreneurship #India #BelieveIndia To read more in detail, click below:👇 https://lnkd.in/gAXhHQmM

Cloud Kitchens Secure Major Funding 💡 Curefoods, the cloud kitchen startup known for brands like EatFit, CakeZone, and Sharief Bhai Biryani, is in talks to raise $40 million in its Series D round. This will be a mix of primary and secondary share sales, with a post-money valuation of $500 million. Since its founding in 2016, Curefoods has raised $200 million and continues to attract strong support. With Three State Ventures investing ₹500 crore, Curefoods achieved a post-money valuation of ₹3,000 crore ($375 million) in the last round and now aims for even bigger strides. As part of this round, Curefit Healthcare (CultFit) is expected to exit by selling its remaining 2% stake. While the new investors in the primary round are yet to be revealed, existing backers like Binny Bansal are expected to join. Curefoods, led by Ankit Nagori, plans to use these fresh funds to: 👉 Expand into newer markets like Dubai 👉 Acquire more food brands 👉 Grow its offline presence With five brands hitting the ₹100 crore annual revenue milestone, Curefoods is truly emerging as a house of brands and is preparing for a public listing in 2026! Other Startup Cloud Kitchens Raising Money 👉Moneycontrol recently reported that Rebel Foods, the cloud kitchen startup that runs brands such as Faasos, Oven Story, and Behrouz Biryani, is in talks to raise $120 million (around Rs 1,000 crore) in a fresh round led by Singapore’s Temasek. 👉 House of Biryani raised $2 million from a Middle Eastern family office, Angel Star Ventures and others. 👉 In December, Biryani By Kilo raised Rs 72 crore in its Series C round led by Alpha Wave Ventures. #Curefoods #HouseOfBrands #CloudKitchen #SeriesDRound #StartupGrowth #AnkitNagori #FoodTech #RebelFoods #BiryaniByKilo #Investment #CulinaryExpansion

2 bankrupt startups, to ₹24cr Valuation in Shark Tank. Picture This: Your friend's birthday is coming up and you have one job: bring a customized cake. But as life often does, you forgot. It’s the day of the surprise and you're scrambling,  wondering how to pull off this crucial task in just 2.5 hours. That's where Creme Castle comes in to save the day. They figured out that providing customized cakes in 2 hours  solved a major pain point for customers. They not only serve customized cakes in 2hrs ,  They are the delicious disruptors taking on the conventional cake business with a 73.3% growth rate. But how did they do it in such a crowded market? Let’s dig in: 1. 𝗣𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. Whether you want a cake with your face on it or a flavor combination that's never been tried before, they've got you. - 40% less prices than the competition - A promise to deliver in just 2 hours No other brand in the country has as many designs and flavor profiles as them. With 3 cloud kitchens in Delhi NCR alone they have served over 5 Lakh people their Cakes Cheesecakes, pastries, eclairs 2. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 Good design isn't just about making things look pretty.  It can increase conversions by 20% and increase willingness to pay by over 35%. To ensure that they not only deliver fast but provide the best designs & quality. Instead of a single person handling multiple steps, they have divided the process into 7 steps, with each person handling only one. The result? Reduced time, accurate demand prediction, and cost savings. It helps reduce cost as a chef who would charge Rs.50k/mo. is replaced by Rs. 10k trainees 3. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 They're doing Rs. 88 Lakhs/mo, and projected FY 23-24 sales at 13 CR with over 70% growth rate.    Though they have a cloud kitchen service, no more than 30% of their sales comes from Zomato and Swiggy. They have optimized their digital marketing tools such that 70% of it comes from D2C bringing down the commission charges to just 5% of all costs involved. Their vision is to build a multi channel business with Cluster Kitchens, Cloud Kitchens, Dark Stores, and Offline Shops for better customer experience. 4. 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹 Pranjay Mittal built not one, but two startups that failed. Instead of giving up, he acknowledged that he needed to learn and grow. He took a placement as a product manager and worked under Amit Jain to upskill in tech and digital marketing. And then with all the lessons joined forces with his mom. Eventually got the deal from his mentor himself. After all It is the courage to continue that counts. Follow Sidhant Kisshor for more! #business #sharktankIndia