Apptite

Apptite operates as a peer-to-peer service platform in São Paulo, Brazil, connecting local chefs specializing in homemade food with customers seeking healthier, daily meal options. Founded in 2016 by Guilherme Parente and Marcelo Monteiro, the company was established to address a gap in the food sharing economy. The initial idea stemmed from observing a local chef who struggled with selling her healthy snacks, highlighting a need for a platform to handle logistics, financials, and marketing for small-scale culinary entrepreneurs.

The company positions itself as a more upmarket alternative to mainstream food delivery giants like iFood and Rappi, which predominantly feature fast food and large restaurant chains. Apptite focuses on providing a diverse menu of high-quality, home-cooked meals, including a wide variety of vegan options, aimed at solving the day-to-day meal problem for its users from Monday to Friday. This strategy targets a niche, yet loyal, customer base that values healthier, homemade food over transactional weekend-oriented fast food. The platform empowers local chefs by enabling them to operate their own businesses, fostering local entrepreneurship and contributing to a sustainable community model where customers buy from their neighbors.

The business model is centered on providing a marketplace where users can browse menus from nearby chefs, place orders, and even communicate with the chefs directly through the app. Apptite manages its own delivery logistics, picking up the prepared meals from the chefs and delivering them to the customers' doors. This integrated approach allows chefs to focus on their culinary passion while the platform handles the complexities of reaching customers and fulfilling orders. The company has received funding from at least one institutional investor, Superjobs Venture Capital, to support its operations and growth. Although recognized by programs like Seedstars World for its potential, Apptite's stated strategy has been to first solidify and expand its presence within the dense São Paulo market before considering larger-scale expansion.

Keywords: food delivery, homemade meals, peer-to-peer food platform, Brazilian startup, São Paulo food tech, healthy food delivery, local chefs, food sharing economy, Apptite, Guilherme Parente, Marcelo Monteiro, niche food market, home-cooked food app, community-based food, upmarket delivery, daily meal solutions, vegan food options, local entrepreneurship, food logistics, Superjobs Venture Capital