Kharis, Verlinvest lead USD 80m round for Not So Dark

The proceeds will be used to support Not So Dark’s new online delivery model built around traditional restaurants as opposed to dedicated dark kitchens, as well as to further expand franchising across Europe, according to a press release.

Not So Dark offers a built-in data analytics platform, driven by machine learning capabilities, that are responsive to changes in price, demand and competition. It optimises menus offered by established brands like Vegedal, Como Kitchen, Coquillettes, JFK Burgers and Gaïa Pita, according to the press release. The company has already secured a portfolio of 150 restaurants that operate in more than 100 cities and is generating millions in monthly revenue, according to the press release.

Initially launched as an operator for direct to consumer food delivery in 2020, the company raised EUR 20m in a Series A funding round from a group of investors led by Kharis Capital along with serial entrepreneur and Uber co-founder, Oscar Salazar, according to Unquote Data.

At the time, Not So Dark operated as a virtual food brand creator with delivery-only menus sold on UberEats and Deliveroo. In less than a year it was deployed across France via its own dark kitchens, according to the press release.

The pivot in Not So Dark’s business model was initiated eight months ago with the offering of a digital delivery solution to traditional restaurants running from their existing kitchens. The food can be prepared in the restaurants and become available via popular online delivery services, according to the press release.

Company
Founded in early 2020 by Clement Benoit and Alexandre Haggai, Not So Dark is a food tech-driven startup in the virtual delivery space. The company, which has 100 employees, creates food brands designed exclusively for online delivery. Its virtual franchise model allows brick-and-mortar restaurants to run a digital online delivery business from their existing kitchens.

People
Not So Dark − Clément Benoit, Alexandre Haggai (founders).
Verlinvest − Raphael Thiolon (executive director).
Kharis Capital − Daniel Grossman (managing partner).

• Tweet  
• Facebook  
• LinkedIn  
• Google plus  
• Send to  

• Topics
• Venture
• Technology
• Fundraising
• France