Warsaw-based startup Foodsi, a marketplace for surplus food from restaurants, bakeries, and stores, has raised €1.2 million in a seed round extension, bringing the total round value to over €2.5 million, as Vestbee was told. Supported by AIP Seed, Satus Starter, and AC/VC Impact Fund, this funding will help Foodsi expand its efforts to combat food waste and enhance operational efficiency.
- Founded in 2019 by Mateusz Kowalczyk and Kuba Fryszczyn, Foodsi provides a platform where restaurants, bakeries, and stores can sell surplus food at discounts of up to 70%. Users can browse available offers, reserve a package instantly, and pick it up later the same day or the next. The contents of each package are a surprise, depending on the venue's current stock and menu.
- Foodsi has partnered with approximately 6,000 venues across Poland, including major cities such as Warsaw, Wrocław, Kraków, Poznań, and the Tricity area. Their collaborations encompass a diverse mix of small local businesses and well-known brands like Carrefour, Wedel, Etno Cafe, Cofix, Campanile, and Herbapol.
- To date, nearly 2 million users have saved close to 5 million food packages worth tens of millions of euros. The startup's impactful business model aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating that profitability and positive environmental impact can coexist.
- Recently, Foodsi launched a pilot program for manufacturers that allows the sale of products with short expiration dates, including food items, meal kits, cosmetics, and plants, delivered directly to homes at attractive prices.
Details of the deal
- The seed round extension was backed by AIP Seed, a Warsaw-based venture capital firm that supports tech startups across the CEE region. To date, AIP Seed has made more than 110 investments in 17 startups, with 4 exits, including Callpage, Langlion, and Soti. The investment also received support from Satus Starter and AC/VC Impact Fund.
“Back in February 2021, we invested in an excellent team. We continued our commitment with the seed round two years ago and now double-down on its extension, increasing our stake also through the buyback of secondaries. Since our initial investment, Foodsi has achieved 30-fold growth, proving it’s one of the fastest-growing companies in our portfolio,” CEO and founder of AIP Seed, Darek Żuk, commented in a press release.
- With the fresh capital, Foodsi plans to continue its growth, expand its product and sales teams, and enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, the company is preparing for its next funding round.
"Even though it’s been a tough year for European startups, we’ve kept growing. We’re seeing more interest in what we’re doing, and we expect to keep growing so we can make an even bigger impact—even beyond Poland,” Claims Mateusz Kowalczyk, CEO and Co-founder of Foodsi.
