January 9, 2013

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At the intersection of technology and a love of food lies a new batch of enticing food-related ventures that are leaving investors and customers wanting more.

“Many investors describe their gastronomical pursuits as part of a larger movement,” according to a recent Wall Street Journal post. “Food has become so industrialized, people are interested in going back to the basics,” says Todd Masonis, Plaxo founder, now owner of Dandelion Chocolate–a boutique-chocolate company. “Once you look beneath the surface, it’s another area ripe for disruption.”

In fact, “a new group of food-based startups are applying tricks learned from the technology industry to grow a new wave of businesses to cash in on the growing foodie movement across the U.S.,” according to Reuters contributor Neal Ungerleider.

Here are four of our favorite food startups to watch:

1. Hungry Globetrotter, Vijay Rajendran, Founder and CEO

An international gourmet food of the month club for busy professionals and families.

Hungry Globetrotter, an international food of the month club, aims to deliver an international culinary adventure right in your own kitchen. The online gourmet club is developing international meals, which busy professionals and families can make at home.

The company provides an ever-changing mix of products and flavors, selected from emerging and renowned international cuisine brands. Their goal is to help members of their World Dinner Club cook meals at home that are more exciting, less time consuming and not as intimidating.

2. EAT Club, Rodrigo Santibanez, Founder

Personal lunch delivery service for busy corporate professionals at work.

EAT Club, Inc. aims to revolutionize lunch by providing a personal lunch delivery service that offers curated menus from a rotating list of local restaurants. Office workers of small- and medium-sized companies order lunch by 10:15am and receive it at their front desks by 12:30pm.

Meals start at $6.95, and there are no minimum orders or additional tips or fees. EAT Club is based in San Mateo County and currently serves most of Silicon Valley.

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