Delli, the brainchild of Depop founder Simon Beckerman, has secured £4.6m to revolutionise the food industry.
- Beckerman partners with Marie Petrovicka, using e-commerce to promote independent food providers.
- Delli addresses a consumer shift towards artisanal, story-driven food products.
- The platform capitalises on influencer partnerships and product storytelling to stand out.
- Investors, including Balderton and HV Capital, have shown confidence by increasing their investments.
Simon Beckerman, known for his successful venture in the fashion industry with Depop, has turned his attention to the food sector with the launch of Delli. This online platform, co-founded with Marie Petrovicka in 2022, aims to disrupt the food industry by catering to the growing demand for independently made, small-batch products. Beckerman and Petrovicka envision a significant shift in consumer preferences, moving away from mass-produced goods to foods that offer a personal story and artisanal quality.
Petrovicka highlights the emerging trend where consumers prefer foods with unique narratives, attributing value to the story behind the products. Delli aims to assist small, independent food providers in expanding their reach and competing against supermarket giants through its specialised seller tools. As quoted, ‘We can’t wait to bring more real food to more people all across the UK!’, indicating the platform’s commitment to broadening access to diverse food options.
Delli offers a marketplace for users to buy and sell a variety of local food and drink items, ranging from pastries and sauces to beer and wine. This approach mirrors successful strategies from the fashion sector, including collaborations with influencers and leveraging the aesthetics and storytelling aspects of products to differentiate itself in the market.
The funding round in 2022, led by prominent investors Balderton and HV Capital, raised £6m to fuel Delli’s expansion. Both entities have continued their support by participating in further funding rounds, demonstrating their belief in Delli’s mission. Daniel Waterhouse of Balderton remarked on the strategic decision to increase investments, citing the platform’s foresight in consumer behaviour trends as a key motivator.
Investors are confident in Delli’s ability to capture the shifting consumer interest towards high-quality, independently crafted foods, as articulated by Waterhouse: ‘Doubling down on our investment was a no-brainer, and I’m excited for what’s to come.’ The backing from such reputable investors underscores the potential impact and growth opportunities for Delli in the competitive food tech industry.
Delli’s innovative approach and robust investor support position it well to transform the UK food market.
