Customers Turn Investors: This Hyperlocal Food Delivery Startup Just Got Seed Funded By Its Customers

It was recent when Crowdfunding was gaining momentum in startup ecosystem fundraise. However, this seems to have quickly become a passé with this food delivery startup crossing boundaries.

Mumbai-based on demand Chinese food delivery startup, Noodle Play, has raised over $150,000 (INR 1 Cr) from its own delivery-led customers. This is one of its own kinds of funding where the startup’s customers loved the product so much that they invested in the company.

The startup gathered funds from its elite customers including Elliot Stechman, managing director, EK Wireless; Gautam Sinha, co-founder, myfirstcheque and Ambarish Ray, director and COO, Metal Communications, who have invested in the startup in their personal capacities.

Hitesh Bhatia, head of TiE Food Network, Mumbai and founder of Noodle Play said, “We intend to utilize funds raised to strengthen backend process and expand across Mumbai.”

Presently, Noodle Play delivers to over 5 locations in Mumbai and further plans to open delivery outposts in over 50 Mumbai locations by next year.

Hitesh is a hotel management graduate with masters in International Business from Symbiosis (India). He has over a decade-long experience in business development, strategy, training and account management across various business verticals at Modicare, Atcom Technologies and Lollypop foods.

Hitesh has also been a co-founder for various Pvt. Ltd HR businesses viz Think People Solutions, Think People Cumulus HR Service, People Force Search & Selection, Campus Yield Solutions, and Team Force Global. Besides, Bhatia also leads TiE Food Network (TFN), Mumbai that conducts workshops and mentoring sessions for entrepreneurs in the food space across Food Services, Packaged Foods and Allied services.

Hitesh added that the commitment to quality and product promise has strengthened Noodle Play tremendously and this has given trusts to customers willing to invest in their food startup.

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