SimplyCook

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SimplyCook
Company typePrivate
IndustryRecipe box package delivery
Founded2014 in London, United Kingdom
FounderOliver Ashness
Headquarters,
Area served
United Kingdom
ProductsSimplyCook Recipe Kits
ServicesRecipe creation, delivery service
Number of employees
20 (2018)
Websitehttps://www.simplycook.com/

SimplyCook is a subscription-based recipe box service based in London. The company provides a monthly box containing four recipes and four nonperishable ingredient kits that are then added to fresh ingredients the subscriber purchases from the supermarket.[1][2] SimplyCook was founded by Oliver Ashness in 2014.[3][4] SimplyCook's recipes have been featured in Woman’s World, Daily Express, and The Independent.[5][6][7]

History[edit]

In 2013, Ashness founded SimplyCook after observing how tedious it could be to try a new recipe.[1] Ashness also noticed that a majority of people cooked the same dishes repeatedly and ingredients to experiment with new recipes were often expensive for one meal.[3] He created SimplyCook to provide a solution to those wanting to have an alternative to other food delivery services.[1]

Ashness tested his company idea in 2013 and launched SimplyCook in 2014 with £100,000 from his savings and friends and family.[2] Within six months of its launch, SimplyCook had thousands of consumers.[2]

In 2015, Episode 1 of Ventures, an investment company focused on early-stage software businesses, invested $1.1 million in SimplyCook.[3][8]

In January 2019 the startup raised £4.5 million in Series A. The round was led by Octopus Investments.[9]

Operations[edit]

SimplyCook provides a subscription service that consists of four recipe cards and ingredients kits, which contain herbs, spices, sauces and other extras needed for the recipe.[10] Each kit contains up to 18 ingredients paired with recipes developed by company chefs.[2] The company develops new recipes solely by gathering data from the customers' online selections.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Rebecca Smith (28 April 2015). "Food discovery service SimplyCook dishes up $1.1m funding round". Real Business. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d Rebecca Burn-Callander (2 September 2014). "An entrepreneur on a mission to spice up your life - and make millions". The Telegraph. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  3. ^ a b c Business Matters (28 April 2015). "SimplyCook receives $1.1m backing to bring expansion to the boil". Business Matters Magazine. Retrieved 17 October 2015. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ Phoebe Luckhurst (30 October 2014). "Postal service: the new London deliveries bringing healthy dinners to your door". Evening Standard. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  5. ^ "Deliciously, Quickly, Simply Cook". Woman’s World UK. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  6. ^ Laura Mitchell (2013). "Healthy salads, pasta dishes and casseroles: Three easy recipes for the New Year". Express. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  7. ^ Kate Hilpern (4 February 2014). "Food stuffs: 10 best recipe kits". The Independent. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  8. ^ Kirsty Styles (28 April 2015). "SimplyCook raises $1.1m from Episode 1 Ventures". Tech City News. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  9. ^ "SimplyCook dishes up £4.5M Series A for its subscription-based flavourings and recipe service". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  10. ^ Steve O’Hear (28 April 2015). "SimplyCook is a recipe-kit startup that avoids being in the fresh food delivery business". Tech Crunch. Retrieved 17 October 2015.