Meatbox

Meatbox Global Inc. operates as a B2B online marketplace for livestock products, fundamentally altering the traditional meat distribution structure in South Korea. The company was founded in 2014 by co-founders Gibong Kim and Young-jik Seo with the mission to resolve the inefficiencies and price opacity prevalent in the existing multi-layered distribution system. Kim's firsthand experience as a restaurant franchisee, where he faced inflated costs due to intermediary margins, was a key motivation for creating a direct-to-consumer platform.

The platform directly connects meat producers, such as importers and processing plants, with business customers like restaurants and butcher shops. This disintermediation of traditional middlemen allows Meatbox to offer products at prices that can be up to 30% lower, providing significant cost savings for small and medium-sized business owners. The business model addresses several pain points for its clients, including the lack of transparent pricing, the burden of credit-based transactions, and logistical complexities. By facilitating direct transactions and operating on a cash-payment basis, Meatbox introduces transparency and reduces costs for buyers, while sellers gain access to a nationwide online sales channel.

Meatbox's product is a comprehensive e-commerce platform accessible via a website and mobile app, where buyers can browse and purchase from approximately 7,000 different meat products. A crucial feature is the real-time publication of transaction prices, creating a transparent market data hub that has become a benchmark in the industry. To ensure product quality and timely delivery, the company has established a robust cold-chain logistics network, partnering with major logistics firms like Ottogi OLS to provide next-day delivery across the country, including Jeju Island. Beyond the marketplace, Meatbox has expanded its services to include "Meatbox Insight Tech-service" (MIT), a data platform offering market intelligence, and has developed private label brands such as 'Dangdanhanwoo' and 'Dangdanhandon'.

The company, which initially operated as Global Networks before rebranding to Meatbox Global in 2021, has demonstrated significant growth, achieving profitability since 2022. It has successfully raised a total of 26 billion won through multiple funding rounds, including a Series C round of 15 billion won in 2018, with notable investors like SoftBank Ventures, Altos Ventures, and IMM Investment. The company is listed on the KOSDAQ market.

Keywords: B2B meat marketplace, online livestock trading, food-tech, meat supply chain, direct meat distribution, wholesale meat platform, South Korea, restaurant supplier, butcher supplier, cold chain logistics, meat price data, e-commerce, Gibong Kim, food service distribution, online wholesale, meat import, private brand meat, KOSDAQ, meat price transparency, food procurement