Zinda Foods secures six-figure investment as food-to-go recovers from Covid disruption

Food-to-go supplier Zinda Foods has bounced back from Covid disruption to close its first-ever investment round.

The flatbread maker secured more than £500,000 in the pre-seed round led by US-based venture capital fund HVB 88 Angels, alongside a private investor.

A second tranche of the round is set to bring another six-figure capital injection from a Singapore-based PE fund later in May.

Zinda will use the investment to support new retailer listings as the food-to-go sector continues its recovery after being hit by two years of Covid restrictions.

The business will also build its marketing and sales team, refresh and promote the brand and launch NPD.

Founder Anishya Kumar said: “This is a massive milestone for Zinda at a time when Covid brought us to our knees.

“We were resilient through the pandemic and now that the worst is over, the support of HVB 88 will help us pivot and grow exponentially.”

Zinda claimed a UK first when it made its grocery debut in Tesco back in 2018 with filled wraps made using a proprietary ‘AirWrap’ flatbread, which contains no preservatives, additives, palm oil or trans fats.

AirWraps are currently listed with 70 Tesco Express, Extra and Metro stores, as well as in 1,500 Budgens and Londis shops nationwide.

Zinda also recently launched into NHS trust hospitals in London through ‘Meals for the NHS’ to provide hospital staff access to nutritional meals.

Kumar said Zinda as set to “expand aggressively” into other retail multiples in May, as well as launching an Airwrap flatbread range in the bakery sections of supermarkets and foodservice.

“There is a dynamic shift towards growing consumer demand for clean ingredient, healthier alternatives for everyday functional foods where challenger brands in competitive food categories, such as chilled and bakery, can really make a difference,” she added.

The round led by HVB 88 values Zinda at £3.5m, with the equity investor aiming to push the brand into new markets overseas and new channels.

Zinda’s AirWrap flatbread is made using five ingredients and was developed as a healthier, natural alternative to highly processed tortilla rivals.