Holachef

Holachef Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. was a Mumbai-based food-tech company that operated as an online marketplace for chef-prepared meals. Founded in September 2014 by IIT Bombay alumni Saurabh Saxena and Anil Gelra, the company aimed to bridge the gap between a fine-dining experience and its accessibility for everyday consumers. Saurabh Saxena, an entrepreneur with a prior successful exit in the ed-tech space, and Anil Gelra, who had experience in creating large-scale internet applications, launched the platform to connect food lovers with professional chefs.

The business operated on a curated marketplace model, presenting a daily rotating menu of about 50 dishes from various cuisines, prepared by its network of chefs. Initially, it began with a home-chef model before transitioning to a more scalable centralized kitchen setup to handle rising demand and ensure quality control. Customers could order single-serving meals through a mobile app or website for delivery in specific time slots, a system designed for those who plan their meals in advance. The revenue model was based on taking a share of the price at which the meals were listed. The platform gained traction, serving thousands of customers across Mumbai and achieving a high retention rate.

Holachef secured significant financial backing, raising a total of over $10 million through multiple funding rounds. Key investors included Kalaari Capital, India Quotient, SIDBI Venture Capital, and notable angel investor Ratan Tata. The company's journey included accolades such as being named the best food app at the Business Excellence Honours in 2017 and selection into Google's Launchpad accelerator program. However, after facing operational challenges, Holachef ceased operations in April 2018. In October 2018, the company was acquired by Foodpanda, the food delivery arm of ride-hailing firm Ola, in a move to bolster Foodpanda's entry into the cloud kitchen segment. As part of the deal, Holachef's founders and employees joined the Foodpanda leadership team.

Keywords: Holachef, food delivery, chef-prepared meals, online food marketplace, cloud kitchen, Mumbai food-tech, Saurabh Saxena, Anil Gelra, ready-to-eat meals, Indian startup, Kalaari Capital, Ratan Tata investment, Foodpanda acquisition, meal delivery service, curated menu, food-tech platform, single-serving meals, online meal ordering, Indian cuisine delivery, gourmet food delivery