Ratan Tata Invests In Foodtech Startup IdeaChakki

Delhi-based IdeaChakki, a foodtech venture, has raised an undisclosed amount of funding from Ratan Tata. The startup has also partnered with Enablers for their next round of funding.

Talking about the funding, Gunjan Mehrish, co-founder IdeaChakki, said, “Ratan Tata’s validation of the idea will help in attracting more investors as his experience in managing and running the Taj Group of hotels cannot be overlooked. Moreover, we are looking forward for our next round of funding through Enablers.”

The funds raised from Tata will primarily be used for expansion into new geography along with building the in-house team and strengthening the technology, said the company.

IdeaChakki was founded by three former NDTV executives, Monica Narula, Noopur Tiwari and Gunjan Mehrish. The startup provides digital video menus for restaurants and allows customers to gift food and beverage experiences anywhere in the world.

The interactive app which loads on to restaurant screens allows guests to make choices according to their dietary preferences. It also has short videos explaining everything from how the dish is made to small notes ranging from pronunciation to origin of the dish. It helps users to navigate menus and gives a simple picture of what to expect from a dish.

IdeaChakki is currently targetting premium restaurants in Delhi NCR. It aims to expand its operations in the country and plans to set up its first international office in Paris.

Prior to this in June 2016, Ratan Tata invested an undisclosed amount in e-ticketing portal Kyazoonga. The investment was made in his personal capacity.

In May 2016, Tata added San Francisco-based medical emergency response startup MUrgency Inc to the funding basket. Other startups that have raised funding from Ratan Tata this year include NestAway technologies, FirstCry, CashKaro, Tracxn, Dogspot, Lenskart, Teabox, Invictus Technology, SnapBizz, and Moglix. Last month reports surfaced that continuing with his streak of investments in startups, Tata is reportedly planning to set up a Venture Capital fund.

The development was reported by Business Standard.