The Brazilian grocery platform Mara announced its first funding round of $6M led by Canary Ventures and Caffeinated Capital.
Mara is reinventing the grocery supply chain by working to connect small, local suppliers with big brands in Latin America. The startup aims to expand access to quality grocery products for customers, support small suppliers, and improve the product chain.
“We believe that with technology and creative product solutions we can solve complex supply chain issues in the industry. We want to provide greater access to food and quality products for all of LatAm, starting with Brazil.”
Ariel Lambrecht, co-founder of Mara
Co-founders Ariel Lambecht and Danilo Mansano met while working at 99, a mobility startup and Brazil’s first unicorn. The pair have vast experience in both entrepreneurship and the food industry as Mansano lead the creation and expansion of 99 Food in Brazil.
Mara offers next-day delivery and pick-up points close to customer’s homes for greater ease in accessing products. Users choose from a range of products from the company’s website which are delivered to pick-up locations the following day.
Mara uses a network of local commercial establishments, such as bakeries, grocery stores, and butcher shops, as pick-up locations. Customers pay for their order directly at the store, which will be no more than 500 metres from their home.
Mara grocery platform pitches wholesale prices to retailers and supermarkets in order to support local suppliers.
With the new funding, Mara will focus on continuing to grow its team, product, and technology. Mara is currently running a pilot in various East Sao Paulo neighbourhoods and will soon open its first warehouse in the area.
