LAUNCH

LAUNCH is a California-based organization that supports entrepreneurs and fosters innovation within the technology sector. Established in 2010, it encompasses multiple initiatives, including the LAUNCH Fund, which focuses on early-stage investments in technology-related companies. Additionally, LAUNCH operates an incubator designed to nurture startup development. Its flagship event, the LAUNCH Festival, attracts over 12,000 participants, including venture capitalists, angel investors, founders, and industry professionals, serving as a premier platform for startups to showcase their innovations. The organization also produces the podcast "This Week in Startups," which discusses trends and insights in the startup ecosystem. Through its various endeavors, LAUNCH aims to empower founders and promote the growth of emerging companies.

Jason Calacanis

Founder and CEO

Molly Wood

Managing Director and Co-Host of TWiST

Past deals in Restaurants

OpenTab

Pre Seed Round in 2025
OpenTab is a Columbus-based fintech startup transforming the bar and restaurant experience by eliminating the physical act of paying a tab. Through seamless integrations with leading point-of-sale systems, OpenTab enables guests to open, view, and close their tabs directly from their phone—creating a frictionless, country club style experience. By digitizing tab management, OpenTab empowers hospitality venues to reduce wait times, increase turnover, and deliver a better guest experience without changing existing workflows. OpenTab’s unique model also incentivizes restaurants to drive user adoption, creating a powerful flywheel of growth.

OpenTab POS

Convertible Note in 2025
OpenTab POS provides point of sale software designed for the restaurant and bar industry. The platform offers features such as predictive search, alternative payment types including digital wallets, and private label cards. It aims to streamline operations by integrating payments and POS functionalities on a single device. The software is created by business owners to meet the specific needs of the hospitality sector.

Eatsee

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Eatsee is a visual menu platform designed to enhance the dining experience for a modern audience. It allows cafes and restaurants to create visually appealing menus featuring photographs of each dish, enabling customers to view their options before placing an order. Through its dish-based discovery app, Eatsee facilitates restaurant exploration by allowing users to swipe through images of food, tailored to their preferences regarding distance, price, dietary needs, and meal types. The platform also incorporates a QR-powered menu system, which not only showcases food items but also helps restaurants boost their online presence and conversion rates by connecting potential diners with enticing visual representations of their offerings.

Zupp

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Zupp is a mobile application tailored for college students, aiming to enhance their college experience. The platform offers users access to exclusive deals and rewards, including free food and drinks, buy-one-get-one meals, and discounts at various bars and restaurants. Additionally, Zupp provides opportunities for spontaneous events such as happy hours, complimentary comedy shows, and curated scavenger hunts in the city. By facilitating these experiences, Zupp helps students forge friendships through shared adventures, enriching their social lives during their college years.

Cafe X Technologies

Seed Round in 2018
Cafe X Technologies, Inc. operates a robotic café in San Francisco, providing a range of coffee beverages, including espresso, cappuccino, cortado, and Americano. Founded in 2014, the company aims to enhance productivity in the service industry through automation. It is privately funded, receiving backing from several investors, including Khosla Ventures, Social Capital, Jason Calacanis, Felicis Ventures, Silicon Valley Bank, and The Thiel Foundation.

Cafe X Technologies

Seed Round in 2017
Cafe X Technologies, Inc. operates a robotic café in San Francisco, providing a range of coffee beverages, including espresso, cappuccino, cortado, and Americano. Founded in 2014, the company aims to enhance productivity in the service industry through automation. It is privately funded, receiving backing from several investors, including Khosla Ventures, Social Capital, Jason Calacanis, Felicis Ventures, Silicon Valley Bank, and The Thiel Foundation.

Cafe X Technologies

Seed Round in 2016
Cafe X Technologies, Inc. operates a robotic café in San Francisco, providing a range of coffee beverages, including espresso, cappuccino, cortado, and Americano. Founded in 2014, the company aims to enhance productivity in the service industry through automation. It is privately funded, receiving backing from several investors, including Khosla Ventures, Social Capital, Jason Calacanis, Felicis Ventures, Silicon Valley Bank, and The Thiel Foundation.

Requested

Seed Round in 2016
Requested is a mobile application that allows users to discover, name their own price, and book tables at local restaurants and bars. Founded in 2014 and based in Sacramento, California, the app also facilitates sharing restaurant experiences and earning rewards. Users can send gift cards through the application, enhancing their dining experience. For restaurants and bars, Requested provides a platform to promote their services by paying a reservation fee, thus creating a mutually beneficial relationship between consumers and dining establishments. The application streamlines the booking process, enabling users to pay directly through their phones at various local venues.

Bento

Seed Round in 2016
Bento Technology Inc. is an online platform based in San Francisco that specializes in the delivery of Asian cuisine. Founded in 2014, the company offers a unique meal customization experience through its app, allowing customers to select a main dish and a variety of side options that rotate daily. The menu features a range of Asian-inspired dishes, such as Korean short ribs, Japanese eggplant, and gyoza. Customers place their orders in advance and can track their delivery in real-time, receiving their meals curbside in approximately 15 minutes. Bento's innovative approach and patent-pending packaging system facilitate efficient service, contributing to its consistent week-over-week growth.

Cafe X Technologies

Seed Round in 2016
Cafe X Technologies, Inc. operates a robotic café in San Francisco, providing a range of coffee beverages, including espresso, cappuccino, cortado, and Americano. Founded in 2014, the company aims to enhance productivity in the service industry through automation. It is privately funded, receiving backing from several investors, including Khosla Ventures, Social Capital, Jason Calacanis, Felicis Ventures, Silicon Valley Bank, and The Thiel Foundation.

Bento

Venture Round in 2015
Bento Technology Inc. is an online platform based in San Francisco that specializes in the delivery of Asian cuisine. Founded in 2014, the company offers a unique meal customization experience through its app, allowing customers to select a main dish and a variety of side options that rotate daily. The menu features a range of Asian-inspired dishes, such as Korean short ribs, Japanese eggplant, and gyoza. Customers place their orders in advance and can track their delivery in real-time, receiving their meals curbside in approximately 15 minutes. Bento's innovative approach and patent-pending packaging system facilitate efficient service, contributing to its consistent week-over-week growth.

Cafe X Technologies

Angel Round in 2015
Cafe X Technologies, Inc. operates a robotic café in San Francisco, providing a range of coffee beverages, including espresso, cappuccino, cortado, and Americano. Founded in 2014, the company aims to enhance productivity in the service industry through automation. It is privately funded, receiving backing from several investors, including Khosla Ventures, Social Capital, Jason Calacanis, Felicis Ventures, Silicon Valley Bank, and The Thiel Foundation.

Bento

Seed Round in 2015
Bento Technology Inc. is an online platform based in San Francisco that specializes in the delivery of Asian cuisine. Founded in 2014, the company offers a unique meal customization experience through its app, allowing customers to select a main dish and a variety of side options that rotate daily. The menu features a range of Asian-inspired dishes, such as Korean short ribs, Japanese eggplant, and gyoza. Customers place their orders in advance and can track their delivery in real-time, receiving their meals curbside in approximately 15 minutes. Bento's innovative approach and patent-pending packaging system facilitate efficient service, contributing to its consistent week-over-week growth.

Requested

Pre Seed Round in 2015
Requested is a mobile application that allows users to discover, name their own price, and book tables at local restaurants and bars. Founded in 2014 and based in Sacramento, California, the app also facilitates sharing restaurant experiences and earning rewards. Users can send gift cards through the application, enhancing their dining experience. For restaurants and bars, Requested provides a platform to promote their services by paying a reservation fee, thus creating a mutually beneficial relationship between consumers and dining establishments. The application streamlines the booking process, enabling users to pay directly through their phones at various local venues.

Bento

Pre Seed Round in 2014
Bento Technology Inc. is an online platform based in San Francisco that specializes in the delivery of Asian cuisine. Founded in 2014, the company offers a unique meal customization experience through its app, allowing customers to select a main dish and a variety of side options that rotate daily. The menu features a range of Asian-inspired dishes, such as Korean short ribs, Japanese eggplant, and gyoza. Customers place their orders in advance and can track their delivery in real-time, receiving their meals curbside in approximately 15 minutes. Bento's innovative approach and patent-pending packaging system facilitate efficient service, contributing to its consistent week-over-week growth.

Reserve Media

Seed Round in 2014
Reserve Media, Inc. is a hospitality technology company that offers a digital dining concierge service designed to connect restaurants with diners. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in New York City, with additional offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston, Reserve provides a platform that allows customers to discover restaurants, make reservations, and receive personalized services, while also enabling restaurants to enhance their customer relationship management and gain valuable insights into their operations. The platform aims to reduce reservation cancellations and improve the overall dining experience by streamlining the booking process. Reserve has established partnerships with numerous renowned chefs and restaurateurs, positioning itself as a leading resource in the industry. The service is accessible through a mobile app available for both iOS and Android devices. As of 2018, Reserve Media operates as a subsidiary of Resy Network, Inc.
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