Queensland catering startup Gathar is launching a crowdfunding marketing campaign on feminine founder targeted platform Microwd.
Gathar is the self-described “Airbnb of dinner events”, which matches hosts with caterers, from cooks to gifted house cooks.
Expressions of curiosity for the crowdfunding marketing campaign opened at the moment on Microwd, which rebranded from ‘Pledgeme’ final yr.
The feast market has generated greater than $5 million in gross sales since its 2018 launch and has turned to the crowdfunding platform for its newest elevate, searching for to safe at the very least $500,000.
Gathar caterers come to your own home, vacation home, or workplace and prepare dinner, serve, and wash up after.
The enterprise initially launched in Cairns and Port Douglas, the place the founders are primarily based, and has now expanded to 10 markets nationally, together with Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, and the vacation locations of Byron Bay and the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
Early final yr, superstar chef Curtis Stone joined Gathar following a $1 million post-seed elevate. The platform beforehand raised $600,000 in June 2020.
Gathar’s gross merchandise quantity (GMV) jumped by 247% in 2021 and an extra rise of 163% in 2022.
Gathar eating expertise
CEO and cofounder Jodie Mlikota stated the raised capital would increase the corporate’s presence within the US, enhance its just lately launched meal prep product providing, and scale up its in-house B2B and know-how groups.
“In simply 5 years Gathar has established itself as Australia’s go-to non-public chef platform, with a presence throughout greater than 35 places,” she stated.
“We’re excited in regards to the continued progress alternatives in our house nation, however we additionally wish to share our ethos with the remainder of the world.After we collect we eat, as a result of sharing meals is sharing connection. Gathar is within the enterprise of serving to folks make recollections, one ‘gatharing’ at a time.”
Gathar US has already delivered catering experiences for large manufacturers like Amazon, TikTok, and SheIn, and has simply introduced bookings in Austin, Texas.
Microwd CEO Megan Owen says giving better visibility to funding alternatives in corporations led by inspiring ladies like Gathar is why she launched a devoted crowdfunding platform.
“I wish to see women-led progress corporations – whether or not based by a lady or ladies on the helm, succeed,” she stated.
“Feminine founders globally solely obtain roughly 3% of enterprise capital funding. That should change. By offering a tangible funding mechanism somewhat than merely rhetoric, we can assist to facilitate change.”