Vancouver’s UpMeals has raised a $800,000 seed round for the first smart vending meal solution in B.C.
UpMeals delivers healthy, custom meals created by professional chefs and registered holistic nutritionists in individual, sustainably-packaged meals specifically tailored to each organization’s needs. Meals are available 24/7 through innovative touch screen SmartVending machines.
This concept is the brainchild of Drew Munro, a professional caterer, and Ryan Angel, a Red Seal Chef and Registered Holistic Nutritionist. This round of funding involved participation from high-profile investors such as Robert Angel, the creator of Pictionary, and private equity investors.
The new funds will support the further expansion of UpMeals’ proprietary software to provide automation for all levels of the creative, production, ordering and delivery processes of its SmartVending technology.
SEE ALSO: UpMeals Launches Smart Vending Meal Solution in B.C.
The SmartVending hardware is a refrigerated machine installed in a lobby or storefront with an interface branded to a company’s look and feel. Customized meals are delivered to the machines at a regular cadence to ensure ultimate freshness. Users can monitor their SmartVending machine remotely, create plans for meals nearing their expiry date and build menus based on the popularity of food items. Data analytics and back end management was built by technology partner, SMRT1 Technologies.
“The role of technology is critical in the future of feeding employees and customers,” said Robert Angel, UpMeals investor, advisor and inventor of the game Pictionary. “UpMeals understands the opportunity to evaluate food preferences, source locally and sustainably and create meals that its customers will actually enjoy. As employees return to the office, feeding them healthy, delicious meals will be of the utmost importance.”
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