Secai Marche, a Japan- and Malaysia-based farm-direct platform, has introduced it raised about US$1.6 million (210 million Japanese yen) in Series A funding.
The spherical was led by The Agribusiness Investment and Consultation Co., Spiral Ventures Asia Fund I, and Beyond Next Ventures.
Secai Marche is a B2B farm-to-table fulfilment platform. Headquartered in Japan, it additionally operates in Southeast Asia.
Previously, Secai Marche had closed a US$1.4 million seed spherical and US$1.5 million pre-series A funding, bringing the startup’s complete raised up to now to US$4.5 million.
According to TechCrunch, the contemporary funds will go in direction of creating Secai Marche’s demand forecast system and optimising its truck routing because it expands its service areas.
Connecting farms to kitchens
Described as a “one-stop platform”, Secai Marche is a web-based market that connects farmers with eating places in Japan and Malaysia.
Malaysian farmers that it really works with embrace Momo Fresh Farm, NonehCekgu MD2 Pineapple, Nian Feng Plantation, Foliage Micro Greens, LK Fresh Eggs, Weeds and More, and XKH Farm.
According to its web site, greater than 400 accommodations and eating places are utilizing its platform. This contains acquainted names reminiscent of Huckleberry, GSC, EQ, Dewakan, Marini’s on 57, and extra.
Its companions additionally embrace numerous grocery shops reminiscent of Jaya Grocer and AEON.
“Our mission is to help build more economically viable and sustainable small-scale farms all over the world through improved access to good and delicious food,” its web site shared.
Reaching Southeast Asian farmers
Secai Marche founder Ami Sugiyama advised TechCrunch that whereas the meals service distribution trade in Southeast Asia is giant, it’s additionally “highly fragmented and inefficient”.
Thus, Secai Marche goals to assist streamline the availability chain by means of its in-house software program which entails warehouse administration and demand forecast techniques.
“The warehouse management and fulfilment system is designed to optimise the supply chain and maintain the lowest wastage rate of less than 1%,” Sugiyama mentioned, in keeping with E27.
“Now, we are ready to accelerate our expansion in SEA to service more farmers and consumers.”
Just a couple of days in the past on January 30, EdenFarm, an Indonesian B2B platform connecting farmers to eating places, caterers, avenue distributors, and startups bagged US$13.5M pre-Series B funding.
The elevated curiosity in farm-to-table options will possible profit farmers within the area, probably advancing Malaysia’s agriculture economic system as an entire.
- Learn extra about Secai Marche right here.
- Read different funding articles we’ve written right here.
Featured Image Credit: Ami Sugiyama, CEO of and founding father of Secai Marche / Khairil Anwar, founding father of NonehCekgu MD2 Pineapple
