Africa Digest News

Cairo-based startup Suplyd has just raised $2 million in a pre-Series A funding round, marking a significant milestone in its mission to transform Egypt’s $10 billion HORECA (hotels, restaurants, and catering) supply chain.

Founded in 2022, Suplyd is tackling the inefficiencies that have long characterised restaurant procurement, offering a digital platform that streamlines operations, reduces costs, and boosts transparency.

This funding, led by prominent investors like 4DX Ventures, Camel Ventures, and Plus VC, with participation from Seedstars and existing backers, signals strong confidence in Suplyd’s vision to become a cornerstone of Egypt’s food and beverage ecosystem.

The Problem: A Fragmented and Inefficient Supply Chain

Egypt’s restaurant industry, with over 400,000 establishments, is a vibrant part of the country’s culture and economy. However, the supply chain supporting these businesses has historically been a nightmare for operators.

Key challenges include:

• Fragmented logistics: Restaurants often deal with multiple suppliers, leading to inconsistent pricing and unreliable deliveries.
• Lack of transparency: Limited visibility into inventory and demand patterns makes planning difficult.
• High costs and waste: Manual processes and inefficiencies result in higher operational costs and food waste.

Suplyd was born out of this frustration, with Gohar Said, Karim Selima, and Ahmed ElMahdy launching the platform in 2022 to address these pain points head-on.

The Solution: Suplyd’s Digital Procurement Platform

Suplyd’s platform is a one-stop shop for restaurants, offering an end-to-end digital solution that simplifies procurement. By connecting restaurants directly with suppliers, Suplyd eliminates middlemen and streamlines the entire process. Here’s how it works:

• Centralised Dashboard: Restaurants can order everything from fresh ingredients to kitchen supplies through a single, user-friendly interface.
• Real-Time Analytics: The platform provides insights into demand patterns, inventory management, and delivery tracking, helping operators make data-driven decisions.
• Cost and Waste Reduction: By optimising procurement, Suplyd helps restaurants cut costs and reduce food waste, addressing a global issue in the F&B sector.

READ ALSO:

Since its $1.6 million pre-seed round in 2022, Suplyd has achieved remarkable growth, serving over 5,000 restaurants across Egypt and growing nearly 20x in terms of goods delivered.

The $2M Funding: Fuelling Expansion and Innovation

The recent $2 million pre-Series A round will accelerate Suplyd’s growth and expand its impact. The funding will be used to:

1. Expand Across Egypt: Reach untapped markets beyond Cairo, bringing its platform to more restaurants nationwide.
2. Develop New Verticals: Introduce tools for backend operations, such as inventory management and operational analytics.
3. Enhance Technology: Further develop the platform to improve user experience and scalability.

Why Suplyd Stands Out

What makes Suplyd different from other players in the space, like OneOrder, is its focus on small and medium-sized restaurants, a segment often ignored by traditional suppliers.

By offering a fully digital trail, Suplyd ensures transparency and predictability, empowering restaurant owners to focus on what they do best: serving great food.

Moreover, Suplyd’s leadership brings deep industry expertise. Gohar Said’s experience in the restaurant industry, combined with his prior roles at ElMenus and Trella, gives the team a unique edge in understanding market needs.

Co-founders Karim Selima and Ahmed ElMahdy complement this with operational and technical expertise, making Suplyd a powerful player in Egypt’s food and beverage tech landscape.

The Bigger Picture: Transforming Egypt’s F&B Ecosystem

Suplyd’s ambitions go beyond procurement. The startup is building the digital backbone for Egypt’s restaurant industry, with plans to integrate additional services like financial tools, staff management, and more.

This aligns with a broader trend in Africa, where tech startups are rebuilding fragmented sectors from the ground up.

As Peter Orth from 4DX Ventures puts it, “Suplyd is well-positioned to become a category-defining player within the region.”

With Egypt’s HORECA sector valued at $10 billion, Suplyd’s growth trajectory suggests it could capture a significant share of this market while setting a precedent for tech-driven solutions in the MENA region.

READ ALSO:

What’s Next for Suplyd?

With fresh capital and a proven track record, Suplyd is set to scale rapidly. The startup aims to:

• Expand Nationwide: Bring its platform to every corner of Egypt, supporting both urban and rural restaurants.
• Innovate Continuously: Roll out new features to address evolving needs in the F&B sector.
• Explore MENA Opportunities: Lay the groundwork for regional expansion in the near future.

For restaurant owners, investors, and tech enthusiasts, Suplyd is a name to keep on your radar. As it continues to innovate and expand, this Cairo-based startup is proving that technology can transform even the most traditional industries.

Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, climate change, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.