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

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

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

Partner, Americas

Chris Lee

Partner, Asia

Anna Lo

Director, Americas

Amit Lubovsky

Director, Americas

Jimi Macdonald

Director

Kentaro Matsui

Managing Partner

Ken Miyauchi

Representative Director and Senior Executive Vice President

Greg Moon

Executive Managing Partner

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

Partner, Americas

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 Timo and James, the company addresses the challenges of meal preparation by offering an easy online platform where users can select from a weekly updated menu of recipes. Each recipe is developed by a team of chefs and tested by their friends and families to ensure quality and appeal. Gousto allows subscribers the flexibility to pause their service as needed, making it convenient for those with busy lifestyles. The company has evolved from its initial market stall offerings into a comprehensive service that simplifies the cooking process while promoting healthy eating.

7shifts

Series C in 2022
7shifts is a comprehensive team management platform specifically designed for the restaurant industry. The company offers a suite of tools that assist restaurateurs in making informed decisions, enhancing team retention, and streamlining operations. Its software automates employee scheduling, enabling restaurant managers to efficiently manage work hours and utilize detailed analytics to optimize workforce performance. By improving employee engagement and facilitating communication, 7shifts replaces the need for last-minute phone calls and shift swaps, ultimately helping to reduce labor costs. Trusted by over 40,000 restaurants and one million professionals in the sector, 7shifts serves both front-of-house and back-of-house teams, positioning itself as a vital resource for restaurant management.

Zaihui

Series D in 2022
Zaihui is a Chinese company founded in 2015 that specializes in providing a SaaS-based data-driven marketing automation solution tailored for local businesses. The company offers a comprehensive platform that includes member management, customer relationship management, and customized marketing strategies supported by big data. Zaihui's services enable local merchants, particularly in the restaurant sector, to enhance operational efficiency through features such as QR code ordering, online payment, and loyalty programs. The platform facilitates intelligent precision marketing, brand packaging, and various promotional activities, empowering small and medium-sized enterprises to establish their unique branding and improve customer engagement.

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 Timo and James, the company addresses the challenges of meal preparation by offering an easy online platform where users can select from a weekly updated menu of recipes. Each recipe is developed by a team of chefs and tested by their friends and families to ensure quality and appeal. Gousto allows subscribers the flexibility to pause their service as needed, making it convenient for those with busy lifestyles. The company has evolved from its initial market stall offerings into a comprehensive service that simplifies the cooking process while promoting healthy eating.

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.

Klook

Series E in 2021
Klook is a global online platform facilitating the booking of travel experiences, services, and accommodations. It offers a wide array of activities such as tours, theme park tickets, cultural experiences, and adventure activities across numerous destinations worldwide. Additionally, Klook provides essential travel services like public transport passes, airport transfers, car rentals, SIM cards/eSIMs, and dining reservations to cater to various aspects of travel planning.

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 also offers features like branding and marketing services, an order management system, and menu training facilities. By utilizing Nextbite's platform, restaurant partners can efficiently use 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.

Klook

Series D in 2019
Klook is a global online platform facilitating the booking of travel experiences, services, and accommodations. It offers a wide array of activities such as tours, theme park tickets, cultural experiences, and adventure activities across numerous destinations worldwide. Additionally, Klook provides essential travel services like public transport passes, airport transfers, car rentals, SIM cards/eSIMs, and dining reservations to cater to various aspects of travel planning.

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.

Alibaba Bendi Shenghuo Fuwu Gongsi

Funding Round in 2018
Alibaba Bendi Shenghuo Fuwu Gonsi focuses on on-demand online services. It was established by Alibaba Group as the holding company for [Ele.me](https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/ele-me#section-overview) (food delivery service) and [Koubei](https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/koubei) (online restaurant guide business), which merged in August 2018.

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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