Could Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter have the Midas touch when it comes to the startups he touches? It depends on who you’re asking.
If you ask food tech innovation company — HUNGRY — the answer could be “yes” as the Hip-Hop billionaire-backed startup has once again found its way to the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies list. It has managed to disrupt the food tech industry by providing corporate America with both amazing food and event solutions from top local chefs and restaurants.
“It’s an incredible feat for a company focused on the corporate catering and events, especially given the last 2 1/2 years with the COVID pandemic,” said the company in a statement. “This year, HUNGRY came in at No. 1,218 on the 5,000-company list, making it part of the top 25 percent.”
The Jay-Z Effect
As previously reported by AfroTech, Jay-Z is among the celebrity investors that have helped the company go from merely a concept to one of the leading disruptive food revolution organizations.
“Starting a business, in and of itself, is a daunting prospect,” said co-CEO Shy Pahlevani in a previous interview with AfroTech. “But now, imagine starting a business — in the food service industry — at the start of the pandemic. We knew we were taking a gamble. But it’s a gamble we were willing to take, and it was one that paid off in the end.”
How It Works
Working in a similar way that Tinder does, the app matches professional chefs with catering jobs.
Along with Jay-Z, other public figures who have backed HUNGRY include Kevin Hart, Usher, and more.
According to a press release provided to AfroTech, “The company hopes that this new mark of success will reinforce clients’ decisions to place their trust in HUNGRY. With this achievement, HUNGRY is more motivated than ever to provide its clients with best-in-class services and remain dedicated to improving lives through food.”
