iFood, the largest foodtech in Latin America, has just launched the iFood Labs portal, a digital space for the iFood innovation hub, which tests, co-develops and invests in new solutions for the delivery market. With this initiative, startups from across the country can sign up for pitches to be evaluated and obtain investment for their projects.
“For iFood, 'opening the doors' to startups is a movement where everyone wins: the sector, which receives investments and has incredible projects being accelerated and developed; companies, which have their potential recognized and can grow and do more business; and we, who, as unicorns, have an important role in contributing to the acceleration of this ecosystem”, explains Marcos Gurgel, head of Innovation at iFood.
iFood Labs opens a monthly Pitch Day for new startups to present their projects to the company's senior management. If approved, the project can be accelerated or acquired by the company or even directed to other hubs, accelerators and partner universities.
Open for subscriptions
iFood Labs' Pitch Day is aimed at startups that develop logistics and retail solutions, as well as foodtechs, martechs, fintechs and greentechs.
Registration is open for pitches aimed at Logtechs (October 13th), Foodtechs (November 3rd) and Partner Experience (December 1st). Interested parties can register on the iFood Labs portal.
Connections and opportunities
Since May 2021, iFood has promoted more than 150 startup connections with investors, hubs, accelerators and universities through iFood Labs, with 39 tests carried out and 27 deals generated.
As a result of this culture of open innovation, iFood has also made five investments in artificial intelligence startups, restaurant systems, market delivery and autonomous vehicles in recent years.
Among the investments is the acquisition of Hekima, a company that creates personalized artificial intelligence and big data models. With this, specialists in the development of AI algorithms, data scientists and other positions related to technology became part of the iFood team, making the user experience even more efficient.
In 2020, two new investments were made from the innovation hub, with the acquisition of eComanda, a company specializing in systems for restaurants, and the Mercado website, focused on delivery of supermarket products. With eComanda, iFood improved its management system for restaurants, especially helping small and medium-sized establishments. With the acquisition of Site Mercado, the company boosted iFood Mercado, currently the sector leader and with growth of 1.300% in two years.
The last acquisition announced by iFood was in May 2021, with the minority purchase of Synkar Inc., a Brazilian company that develops autonomous robots for various purposes, using artificial intelligence and machine learning. With this acquisition, the company has been expanding complementary delivery modes, with an autonomous robot being tested in the city of Ribeirão Preto (SP)
