Singapore-based B2B agritech startup Glife has secured SGD 1.6 million (approx. USD 1.2 million) in seed funding. Investors in this round include Global Founders Capital, 500 Startups, and tech veterans like Royston Tay, the co-founder of chat software maker Zopim.
With Glife, Justin Chou, co-founder and chief executive of the startup, wanted to create an online platform that connects farmers with restaurants directly, doing away with middlemen. He had spotted a gap in the agricultural supply chain while he was working on his vegetarian food chain Greendot and often found the quality of fresh produce to be lacking. Drawing inspiration from Chinese startup Meicai, Chou came together with three co-founders–Joe Chen, Wayne Goh and Caleb Wu–to start Glife.
The company intends to spend the newly raised funds on technology development. Specifically, on its consolidated invoicing system that tracks and manages perishables, and on testing out its on-demand last mile delivery process. Glife is also looking to grow its technology team in anticipation of growing demand.
The company claims to have onboarded over 150 local F&B businesses in Singapore. It plans to raise a series A round six to nine months down the line to aid its regional expansion into Malaysia and Indonesia.
Editor: Nadine Freischlad
