Munch

Munch.eco operates a mobile platform targeting the significant issue of food waste within the Central and Eastern European (CEE) hospitality and retail sectors. Established in 2020 by co-founders Botond Zsoldos, Bence Zwecker, Albert Wettstein, and Kirill Perepelica, the company provides a marketplace connecting food establishments with consumers to sell surplus food at discounted prices.

The business model is straightforward: restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets, and hotels list unsold, high-quality food on the Munch app as 'Surprise Packages.' Consumers can then purchase these packages for at least 50-70% off the original retail price, enabling them to save money while contributing to waste reduction. Munch generates revenue by taking a commission on the food sold through its platform, offering a no-cost entry for merchants who only pay when a sale is made. This dual-sided value proposition attracts both a growing base of environmentally and budget-conscious users and commercial partners seeking to generate revenue from potential losses and attract new customers.

The company has demonstrated a strong growth trajectory through strategic consolidation. A key milestone was the November 2022 merger with Nesnězeno, a Czech-based food-saving app, which significantly expanded its partner network. This was followed by a merger with Romanian competitor Bonapp.eco in early 2025, solidifying Munch's leadership position in the CEE region. The company's expansion has been backed by several funding rounds, including a Series A led by Piton Capital with participation from FJ Labs and notable angel investors. These funds are earmarked for further expansion into markets like Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, and Greece.

To address waste further up the supply chain, Munch has also launched Munch Market, a B2B marketplace for wholesalers to sell near-expiry or seasonal products at a discount. The platform's impact is quantifiable, having saved millions of food packages since its inception. With a network of over 4,000 partners, including major brands like SPAR, PENNY, and Starbucks, and a user base with over 3.5 million downloads, Munch is well-positioned to capitalize on the increasing consumer and regulatory focus on sustainability and food waste reduction.

Keywords: food waste reduction, surplus food marketplace, sustainable food app, CEE food tech, restaurant surplus, grocery waste, food rescue platform, mobile commerce, sustainable consumption, circular economy, impact investing, green technology, cleantech, HoReCa solutions, retail food surplus, B2C marketplace, consumer savings app, environmental impact, social enterprise, food supply chain