SoftBank Group

SoftBank Group is a multinational telecommunications and internet corporation based in Japan. It operates through four segments: mobile communications, Sprint, fixed-line telecommunications, and internet. The company provides a wide range of services, including mobile and fixed-line voice and data transmission services, broadband services, internet advertising, e-commerce, and digital television. SoftBank Group also invests in various technologies through its venture capital arms, such as SoftBank Investment Advisers and SoftBank Vision Fund, focusing on areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things. One of its notable subsidiaries, SoftBank Robotics, designs and manufactures humanoid robots for various applications, including education, healthcare, and business.

Karim Abouzahr

Director, SoftBank Europe Ventures

Praveen Akkiraju

Managing Partner, Americas, Asia

Kristin Bannon

Investment Director, SoftBank Investment Advisers

Jonathan Bullock

COO and Managing Director

John Cassidy

Investment Director, Life Sciences and HealthTech

Tom Cheung

Partner, Americas

Rodrigo Costa

Partner

Serena Dayal

Partner, Americas

Angela Du

Partner, Americas

Colin Fan

Managing Partner, SoftBank Investment Advisers

Ted Fike

Director, Americas

Ronald Fisher

Vice Chairman

Navneet Govil

Managing Partner, CFO

Ayush Jain

Investment Vice President

Lydia Jett

Partner

Sumer Juneja

Managing Partner and Head of EMEA and India Investing

Robert Kaplan

Investment Director

Chris Lee

Partner, Asia

Anna Lo

Director, Americas

Amit Lubovsky

Investor

Jimi Macdonald

Director

Kentaro Matsui

Managing Partner, Asia

Ken Miyauchi

Representative Director and Senior Executive Vice President

Greg Moon

Executive Managing Partner

Akshay Naheta

Partner, EMEA

Gowri Narayanan

Partner, FinTech

Karol Niewiadomski

Partner

Shu Nyatta

Managing Partner

Max Ohrstrand

Partner, EMEA

Vikas Parekh

Managing Partner, Americas

Ben Parton

Director of Deals and Transactions

Yanni Pipilis

Managing Partner

Narendra Rathi

Director, Asia

Brett Rochkind

Managing Partner

Masayoshi Son

Founder

Ram Trichur

Partner

Ervin Tu

Partner, Americas

Aaron Wong

Vice President

Kenichi Yoshida

Chief Business Officer and Executive Vice President

Linda Yu

Vice President, Vision Fund

Andrew Zloto

Investment Director

Tim Yap

Director, EMEA

Past deals in Restaurants

Gousto

Secondary Market in 2022
Gousto is a home meal kit service that delivers fresh, organic, and seasonal ingredients along with curated recipes directly to customers' doorsteps. Founded in 2011 by two friends, the company was born out of a desire to simplify home cooking by providing all the necessary ingredients in the right proportions, eliminating the need for multiple grocery trips. Each week, subscribers can choose from a selection of new recipes developed by a team of professional chefs, ensuring a diverse range of cuisines and styles. Customers have the flexibility to pause their subscription as needed, making it convenient for those with busy lifestyles. Gousto's approach combines quality with ease, enabling individuals and families to prepare delicious and healthy meals at home without the hassle of planning or shopping.

7shifts

Series C in 2022
7shifts is a comprehensive team management platform specifically designed for the restaurant industry. It offers a suite of tools that assist restaurateurs in making informed decisions, enhancing team retention, and streamlining operations. Catering to all staff levels, from front of house to back of house, 7shifts is utilized by over 40,000 restaurants and one million professionals in the sector. The platform features employee scheduling software that automates work hour management and provides detailed analytics, which fosters employee engagement and improves communication. By facilitating efficient scheduling and reducing the need for last-minute changes, 7shifts enables restaurant managers to optimize their workforce and lower labor costs.

Gousto

Venture Round in 2022
Gousto is a home meal kit service that delivers fresh, organic, and seasonal ingredients along with curated recipes directly to customers' doorsteps. Founded in 2011 by two friends, the company was born out of a desire to simplify home cooking by providing all the necessary ingredients in the right proportions, eliminating the need for multiple grocery trips. Each week, subscribers can choose from a selection of new recipes developed by a team of professional chefs, ensuring a diverse range of cuisines and styles. Customers have the flexibility to pause their subscription as needed, making it convenient for those with busy lifestyles. Gousto's approach combines quality with ease, enabling individuals and families to prepare delicious and healthy meals at home without the hassle of planning or shopping.

ezCater

Series D in 2021
ezCater, Inc. is an online catering marketplace that facilitates food ordering for both small startups and large corporations. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with an additional office in Denver, the company connects businesses with local caterers and restaurants across the nation. ezCater offers a platform that allows users to easily find and order food for meetings and events, utilizing features that filter caterers by food type, budget, and other criteria. The company's solutions include ezManage, a catering management platform, and ezOrdering, which enables restaurants to accept catering orders directly through their websites. By streamlining the catering process, ezCater helps clients save time and efficiently select suitable catering options.

Frubana

Series C in 2021
Frubana is a digital platform based in Bogotá, Colombia, founded in 2018, that serves as a one-stop shop for restaurants by connecting them directly with agricultural producers and suppliers. The company facilitates the buying and selling of food products, enabling restaurants to source ingredients directly from farmers without intermediaries, which enhances price transparency and reduces trade barriers. Additionally, Frubana provides tools for restaurants to digitize their operations, including the creation of virtual menus that can be easily shared with customers through QR codes. By streamlining the supply chain, Frubana aims to support small retailers and restaurants in accessing fresh agricultural products efficiently.

Swiggy

Series J in 2021
Swiggy is an on-demand food delivery platform that connects customers with local restaurants, allowing them to order meals conveniently through a user-friendly app. The platform provides a comprehensive listing of nearby restaurants and their menus, enabling users to place orders and track deliveries in real-time. In addition to food delivery, Swiggy has expanded its services to include the pickup and drop-off of various items, such as laundry and documents, catering to both individual and business clients. By offering timely deliveries and promotional discounts, Swiggy aims to enhance the customer experience and ensure that meals are delivered fresh and promptly.

Frubana

Series B in 2021
Frubana is a digital platform based in Bogotá, Colombia, founded in 2018, that serves as a one-stop shop for restaurants by connecting them directly with agricultural producers and suppliers. The company facilitates the buying and selling of food products, enabling restaurants to source ingredients directly from farmers without intermediaries, which enhances price transparency and reduces trade barriers. Additionally, Frubana provides tools for restaurants to digitize their operations, including the creation of virtual menus that can be easily shared with customers through QR codes. By streamlining the supply chain, Frubana aims to support small retailers and restaurants in accessing fresh agricultural products efficiently.

Nextbite

Series C in 2020
Nextbite, established in 2017 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, operates a virtual restaurant platform. This platform helps restaurants manage, brand, and grow their businesses by aggregating orders from various online ordering services into a single dashboard. It offers features like branding and marketing services, an order management system, and menu training facilities. By utilizing Nextbite's platform, restaurant partners can optimize underutilized labor and kitchen capacity, ultimately increasing their margins and revenue.

Bear Robotics

Series A in 2020
Bear Robotics, Inc. is a company based in Redwood City, California, that designs and manufactures autonomous robots specifically for the food service industry. Incorporated in 2017, Bear Robotics developed Penny, an artificial intelligence-driven robot that efficiently transports food, dishes, and drinks, while also providing customer service in restaurants. The company's innovative solutions aim to address challenges within the restaurant industry, such as labor shortages and rising operational costs, by enhancing efficiency and improving the dining experience for customers. By automating tasks like running orders and bussing tables, Bear Robotics not only seeks to increase job satisfaction for restaurant employees but also aims to boost profitability for restaurant owners.

Frubana

Series A in 2020
Frubana is a digital platform based in Bogotá, Colombia, founded in 2018, that serves as a one-stop shop for restaurants by connecting them directly with agricultural producers and suppliers. The company facilitates the buying and selling of food products, enabling restaurants to source ingredients directly from farmers without intermediaries, which enhances price transparency and reduces trade barriers. Additionally, Frubana provides tools for restaurants to digitize their operations, including the creation of virtual menus that can be easily shared with customers through QR codes. By streamlining the supply chain, Frubana aims to support small retailers and restaurants in accessing fresh agricultural products efficiently.

DoorDash

Series G in 2019
DoorDash, Inc. is a logistics platform that connects consumers, merchants, and delivery personnel, primarily in the United States and Europe. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company initially launched as PaloAltoDelivery.com before rebranding to DoorDash, Inc. in 2015. DoorDash offers a marketplace that allows local and national restaurants, as well as other businesses such as grocery stores and retailers, to reach customers through online ordering for pickup or delivery. The company's services include customer acquisition, delivery logistics, insights and analytics, payment processing, and customer support. Additionally, DoorDash operates DoorDash Drive, a white-label logistics service that further enhances its delivery capabilities. Through its platform, DoorDash aims to transform local businesses and strengthen community connections by building a robust last-mile delivery infrastructure.

Ayenda Hotels

Seed Round in 2019
Ayenda Hotels is a rapidly growing hotel chain based in Medellín, Colombia, and is recognized as the largest hotel chain in the country by the number of properties. Founded in 2015, Ayenda focuses on providing standardized, budget-friendly accommodations for individuals, families, and business travelers. The company operates a network of franchise hotels in major cities such as Barranquilla, Bogotá, Medellín, and Pereira, ensuring that essential needs are met for all types of guests. Utilizing proprietary technology, Ayenda manages its operations through a comprehensive platform that includes hotel management software, pricing algorithms, and user-friendly interfaces, thereby enhancing the overall guest experience. The chain emphasizes quality amenities, including free WiFi and clean accommodations, making it a competitive choice for travelers seeking affordable lodging options.

DoorDash

Series F in 2019
DoorDash, Inc. is a logistics platform that connects consumers, merchants, and delivery personnel, primarily in the United States and Europe. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company initially launched as PaloAltoDelivery.com before rebranding to DoorDash, Inc. in 2015. DoorDash offers a marketplace that allows local and national restaurants, as well as other businesses such as grocery stores and retailers, to reach customers through online ordering for pickup or delivery. The company's services include customer acquisition, delivery logistics, insights and analytics, payment processing, and customer support. Additionally, DoorDash operates DoorDash Drive, a white-label logistics service that further enhances its delivery capabilities. Through its platform, DoorDash aims to transform local businesses and strengthen community connections by building a robust last-mile delivery infrastructure.

OakNorth Bank

Venture Round in 2019
OakNorth Bank, established in 2015, is a digital-only commercial bank based in London, UK. It specializes in serving small-to-medium sized businesses (SMEs) that are often overlooked by traditional banks. The bank offers a range of financial products, including business and personal savings accounts, fixed term deposits, and property finance solutions. OakNorth's core strength lies in its bespoke debt finance solutions, catering to the growth plans of businesses without requiring equity. It has lent over £10 billion to date, supporting various sectors such as property developers, care homes, and hospitality businesses. The bank's data-led approach enables it to make forward-looking decisions, acting as a reliable, long-term partner to its customers.

DoorDash

Series D in 2018
DoorDash, Inc. is a logistics platform that connects consumers, merchants, and delivery personnel, primarily in the United States and Europe. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company initially launched as PaloAltoDelivery.com before rebranding to DoorDash, Inc. in 2015. DoorDash offers a marketplace that allows local and national restaurants, as well as other businesses such as grocery stores and retailers, to reach customers through online ordering for pickup or delivery. The company's services include customer acquisition, delivery logistics, insights and analytics, payment processing, and customer support. Additionally, DoorDash operates DoorDash Drive, a white-label logistics service that further enhances its delivery capabilities. Through its platform, DoorDash aims to transform local businesses and strengthen community connections by building a robust last-mile delivery infrastructure.

Bear Robotics

Angel Round in 2017
Bear Robotics, Inc. is a company based in Redwood City, California, that designs and manufactures autonomous robots specifically for the food service industry. Incorporated in 2017, Bear Robotics developed Penny, an artificial intelligence-driven robot that efficiently transports food, dishes, and drinks, while also providing customer service in restaurants. The company's innovative solutions aim to address challenges within the restaurant industry, such as labor shortages and rising operational costs, by enhancing efficiency and improving the dining experience for customers. By automating tasks like running orders and bussing tables, Bear Robotics not only seeks to increase job satisfaction for restaurant employees but also aims to boost profitability for restaurant owners.
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