Introduction
OneOrder, an innovative supply chain and logistics solution for the hotel, restaurant, and catering (HoReCa) sectors in Egypt, has successfully raised $16 million in a Series A funding round. This substantial investment will facilitate OneOrder’s expansion into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, with an initial focus on the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The funding round was led by Delivery Hero Ventures, with significant contributions from Norrsken22, Egypt-based Nclude, and A15.
Addressing HoReCa Supply Chain Fragmentation
Tamer Amer, CEO of OneOrder, underscored the persistent issues affecting the HoReCa supply chain in Africa and the MENA region. The sector suffers from fragmentation and manual processes involving multiple stakeholders, resulting in inefficiencies such as limited price transparency, inadequate access to quality stock-keeping units (SKUs), high waste and storage costs, and insufficient financing for business growth.
OneOrder’s Comprehensive Solution
"Restaurants and hotels typically work with hundreds of suppliers to maintain stock, receiving multiple daily deliveries that disrupt operations and still face shortages. Previous solutions have only digitized this fragmented process. OneOrder, however, streamlines the entire supply chain, serving as a comprehensive one-stop-shop with strategically located warehouses storing all necessary ingredients," said Amer.
Revolutionizing Food Procurement with Technology
OneOrder’s platform, accessible via a web-based interface and mobile application, offers a personalized virtual warehouse with over 700 SKUs, equipped with analytics and data management tools. This enables restaurants and hotels to order online efficiently, reduce costs, and access high-quality ingredients. Additionally, the platform integrates with ERP/POS systems, facilitating seamless financial transactions and payments.
Financial Integration
The collaboration with Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB) to enable variable payments via direct debit represents a significant milestone, illustrating the integration of advanced financial solutions within the platform. This innovation, typically provided by banks and financial institutions, underscores OneOrder’s commitment to offering a comprehensive technological solution to its clients. "At OneOrder, we believe that combining technology and human creativity is crucial for success. Our approach empowers customers by automating routine tasks, allowing them to focus on areas requiring human judgment. This strategy has enabled us to operate with a leaner team compared to traditional suppliers, demonstrating the efficiency of our tech-driven methods," Amer added.
Expansion Plans and Strategic Goals
With the $16 million Series A funding, OneOrder plans to extend its operations into the GCC region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, by autumn 2024. The company aims to enhance its financing solutions for customers, including introducing new card payment options and further developing its platform.
AI Integration and Talent Recruitment
OneOrder’s innovative AI-assisted system, implemented over the past six months, has significantly improved the app’s efficiency, saving customers 60% in time and money. Consequently, the company is actively recruiting talent in AI to bolster its capabilities and continue delivering cutting-edge solutions.
Investor Confidence and Market Potential
Brendon Blacker, Managing Partner at Delivery Hero Ventures, expressed confidence in OneOrder’s potential to revolutionize the HoReCa supply chain in the MENA region. "We are honored to lead OneOrder’s Series A round and expand our investment as the company transforms the HoReCa supply chain. This funding offers an exciting opportunity to extend the immense value OneOrder provides to a broader geographic area."
Norrsken22
Natalie Kolbe, General Partner at Norrsken22, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the potential for OneOrder to revolutionize HoReCa supply chains across Africa and beyond. "We are pleased to support OneOrder as our first investment in Egypt, recognizing the team’s expertise and the significant impact they can have in multiple markets."
