HUNGRY Announces $8 Million in Series A Funding

HUNGRY, an online marketplace that connects independent chefs with the $25 billion business and events catering market, has raised $8 million in Series A financing.

The financing brings HUNGRY’s total to $12.5 million since its founding in late 2016 by Eman and Shy Pahlevani. HUNGRY will use the funds to continue investing in its digital marketplace and logistics platform and to accelerate growth in new markets across the United States. Today the company operates in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia.

HUNGRY provides independent chefs with a platform to sell their cuisines to corporate customers. Rather than ordering from restaurants or traditional caterers, offices can order directly from a vast network of talented independent chefs, each specializing in their own cuisines. HUNGRY chefs include former White House chefs, Chopped Champions, Food Network chefs, and even celebrities’ personal chefs.

HUNGRY saves companies an average of 33 percent over traditional restaurants and caterers, while chefs on the HUNGRY platform earn three to 10 times more per hour than standard culinary jobs. More than 400 companies in the Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia areas have put their office food needs in the hands of HUNGRY and its network of top chefs, including Amazon, E-Trade, Microsoft, WeWork, and many more.

The round was co-led by Sands Capital Ventures and Motley Fool Ventures, and included Marcy Venture Partners. Additional investors include: Walter Robb, former Whole Foods co-CEO; Tom Colicchio, Chef/Owner – Crafted Hospitality and Head Judge/Executive Producer of Bravo’s Top Chef;  Ming Tsai, Chef/Owner Blue Dragon, CEO Ming East-West, Host/Executive Producer Simply Ming; Dan Simons, Co-founder & owner, Founding Farmers Restaurant Group, and Daniel Kao, former GM of DoorDash Canada.