Meals in Minutes, a Malaysian food startup, secures $1.5 million in seed funding led by 500 Global, aiming to expand its innovative frozen meal kit concept across Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. The funding will also support research and development and enhance marketing efforts for broader market reach.
18 January 2024 – Malaysian-based food startup, Meals in Minutes, has recently closed a successful seed funding round, securing USD 1.5 million. The funding was led by early-stage venture fund and seed accelerator, 500 Global, with participation from a private investor. This capital injection aims to propel Meals in Minutes into a broader market, expanding its presence across Malaysia and Singapore, while also establishing a stronghold in the United Kingdom.
Founded in 2020 by Brandon Lim and Khiara Mia, Meals in Minutes has disrupted the culinary landscape with its innovative meal kit concept. The startup offers frozen vacuum-packed ready-to-cook meals, enabling consumers to prepare gourmet dishes in just 15 minutes. The latest funding will be instrumental in driving the company’s growth trajectory, supporting its expansion plans, and facilitating research and development initiatives to diversify its food product offerings.
All Meals in Minutes’ products are flash-frozen, individually portioned to minimize food wastage, and hold certifications for being HALAL, HACCP, and ISO 22000 compliant. Founder and CEO, Brandon Lim, shared the vision behind the startup, emphasizing its mission to simplify cooking for individuals leading busy lives by offering high-quality, clean, and nutritious meals without the associated hassle.
Aiming to address challenges in the Malaysian food and beverage (F&B) industry, where recruiting skilled manpower is a hurdle due to low wages and industry uncertainties, Meals in Minutes provides an innovative solution. By optimizing kitchen operations without the need for a fully equipped kitchen or a professional chef, the startup’s advanced meal kits empower businesses to efficiently produce gourmet meals consistently.
Co-founder Khiara Mia highlighted the sustainability aspect of Meals in Minutes’ approach, stating, “Our advanced meal kits not only offer sustainable solutions to F&B businesses but also tackle environmental concerns like food wastage and excessive packaging.” The startup collaborates with CleanHub to collect plastic waste for every product sold, contributing to environmental conservation.
Currently available in premium grocery stores across Malaysia and supplied to businesses such as the Malaysian karaoke chain Loud Speaker, Meals in Minutes continues to expand its footprint. The startup has successfully collaborated with celebrities, including Joe Flizzow, to create unique offerings like Joe’s Burger, featuring a 100% pure premium yellowfin tuna patty.
The successful seed funding round positions Meals in Minutes for accelerated growth and ongoing exploration of funding and partnership opportunities, solidifying its position as a key player in the evolving food startup landscape. – ref: BusinessToday
