MY delivery start-up dahmakan bags another US$18m in funding

Malaysian cloud kitchen start-up, dahmakan, has bagged a US$18 million series B funding, which will be used to build its end-to-end operating system which powers the entire value chain from product development to delivery.

In a statement to A+M, co-founder of dahmakan Jessica Li said the funding will be largely used to improve the customer experience through its end-to-end operating system. She added that dahmakan will soon be having a new look and feel for the brand in both Malaysia and Thailand markets.

The latest funding sees investors from Rakuten Capital, White Star Capital, JAFCO Asia and the GEC-KIP Fund. Other investors include Korean food delivery unicorn Woowa Brothers, the former CEO of Nestlé Germany, and follow-on by existing investors, Partech Partners and Y Combinator.

Christian Edelmann, dahmakan's chief technology officer, said that its investments in software and industrial design has allowed the company to ensure fast delivery with high levels of automaton in its back-of-house operations. Jonathan Weins, CEO of dahmakan, added that a core part of dahmakan's mission is to remove high delivery and operating costs, aiming to build a service that matches the selection and price point for the mass market's everyday use. 

Eric Martineau-Fortin, managing partner of White Star Capital, said dahmakan's technology-forward approach makes it well-positioned to serve the growing demand of food delivery services in Southeast Asia. He added that White Star Capital has chosen to invest in dahmakan as it has "a strong entrepreneurial potential and solid teams with expertise at scaling businesses in the consumer sector".

In May 2019, dahmakan bagged a US$5 million series A funding, which is used to drive growth in existing and new markets. These include launching new distribution channels such as partnering with food delivery marketplaces and retailers, as well as expanding its own delivery coverage.

Last year, the delivery start-up appointed Sharad Harjai as vice president of marketing to drive growth and make dahmakan one of the most loved food brands in Southeast Asia. He is tasked to oversee all markets globally, including Bangkok which dahmakan expanded into, and upcoming ones such as Singapore and Indonesia.

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