Hungarian food-saving app aims to conquer Europe

Munch, one of the largest food-saving apps in Central-Eastern Europe, proudly announces its Series A funding round, marking a pivotal moment in its mission to combat food waste and expand in the region. After successes in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the company is ready to fight food waste in Romania and beyond.

Funding the industry disruptors

“The involvement of top-tier global marketplace investors like Piton Capital and FJ Labs, known for backing giants like Alibaba and Delivery Hero, is a testament to Munch’s potential. Having the best possible investors for our vision and mission is not just a validation; it’s a powerful alliance to drive our sustainable mission globally.” Bence Zwecker, CEO of Munch.

This significant funding round is led by Piton Capital, known for its strategic investments in industry disruptors like Auto1 Group, Betfair, Docplanner, and Allegro. The round was co-invested by FJ Labs, a New York-based firm with a global reputation in marketplace investments. Their backing is combined with participation from Christopher Muhr, co-founder of Groupon and ex-COO of a German unicorn Auto1, and Kai Hansen, co-founder of Lieferando, a leading European delivery startup and currently a board member of Booksy. Also participating are existing investors Fiedler Capital, Silicon Gardens, Márton Szőke, Péter Záborszky, STRT Holding and László Czirják. The support of both new and existing investors underscores Munch’s unparalleled position in the market.

Established brands believe in Munch

With over 1 500 000 downloads, and more than 3 000 partners across Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, Munch has already established itself as the leader in these countries. In the last six months, between April and September 2023, the company grew almost seven-fold compared to the same period in the previous year, demonstrating its increasing appeal to both consumers and traders in the wake of global trends focusing on sustainability and in the face of rising inflation.

Key account partnerships with industry giants have not only amplified Munch’s reach but also showcased tangible successes in the fight against food waste. Collaborations with Starbucks in three countries, significant milestones with PENNY in the Czech Republic and Hungary, and an exclusive presence in every SPAR and INTERSPAR store nationwide in Hungary highlight Munch’s impact and influence.

Romanian Expansion: Munch’s Next Frontier

Munch is embarking on its largest expansion so far, targeting Romania where, according to European Union statistics, ~2.2 million tons of food are wasted annually. This expansion not only marks a significant step for Munch but also represents a pivotal opportunity to substantially reduce food waste and make a meaningful impact in the region. Munch is committed to leveraging its expertise and innovative solutions to drive positive change.

“Our dominance in the CEE region is clear. This funding enables us to establish a strong presence in Romania, starting with Bucharest, and further expand our reach across CEE and SEE. Countries like Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Serbia are next on our list. We are looking for passionate individuals who want to make a real impact to join us in our mission to combat food waste.” emphasized Zwecker.

About Munch

Munch was founded in 2020 by Botond Zsoldos, Bence Zwecker, Albert Wettstein, and Kirill Perepelica with a shared mission to combat food waste through technology. Their vision was to introduce a sustainable approach to the food industry, benefiting both business owners and consumers. Restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, and hotels leverage the Munch platform to sell their unsold, high-quality food at reduced prices. In November 2022, Munch merged with Czech-based app Nesnězeno, founded by Jakub Henni, and together they now boast over 3,000 partners and more than 1.5 million app downloads across three countries. To date, Munch has saved a total of over 1.5 million food packages in Hungary and the Czech Republic. These efforts have also been recognized on the level of policy makers: Munch has won prestigious “Sustainable Company of the Year” award and the “Food Waste Prevention Award” at Hungarian National Agricultural and Food Industry Exhibition.

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