Alpha JWC Invests 29 Billion Rupiah for Culinary Startup “Mangkokku”

Culinary startup Mangkokku announces its inaugural initial stage funding (seed funding) in the amount of $2 million (nearly 29 billion Rupiah) from Alpha JWC Ventures. This fresh fund will be used to increase the expansion of outlets until next year.

For the record, Alpha JWC has also invested in another culinary startup owned by Gibran, namely: Goola last year. In addition, other culinary startups that are included in the Alpha JWC portfolio, namely: Memories Coffee, hangry, and Lemonilo.

my bowl was founded last year by celebrity chef Arnold Poernomo, culinary entrepreneur Randy Kartadinata, and the two children of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Gibran Rakabuming and Kaesang Pangarep. Gibran and Kaesang have served as advisors to the company's day-to-day operations.

Meanwhile, Arnold heads up culinary production and innovation, and Randy acts as CEO in charge of Mangkokku's expansion and daily business. Before starting Mangkokku, the four founders had already established at least 12 culinary companies in Indonesia and Australia, including Gioi, KOI Dessert Bart Sydney, and martabak outlet Markobar.

My bowl offers dishes in the form of rice bowls or rice with side dishes served in a bowl with the taste of Indonesian food. There are 12 menus that are sold with prices ranging from Rp. 19 thousand to Rp. 54 thousand per portion.

In an official statement, Arnold Poernomo said that his party adopted a global business perspective. He believes in growing rapidly and sustainably, must provide superior products at affordable prices and maintain the standard of every bowl served.

"Therefore, we operate all branches ourselves and use high-tech equipment in the main kitchen to maintain product quality and consistency," he explained, Monday (23/11).

Randy Kartadinata added, during the pandemic the company managed to adapt quickly to respond to changes in consumer demand, which is now moving more rapidly. It is claimed, every day each Mangkokku branch is able to sell 400 to 600 bowls.

“Our big dream is to become the largest mass-market culinary group in Indonesia and build our own ecosystem consisting of various brands and culinary institutions. Not only that, we also want to be the best culinary company in terms of local and regional expansion and technical operations. That's why we took this startup route and collaborated with Alpha JWC Ventures," continued Randy.

Currently, Mangkokku has 22 branches in Jabodetabek and will expand to Surabaya in the near future. The company will add 30 store locations by the end of this year and 75 branches next year.

Not only that, next year will start developing a food menu outside the concept rice bowls, starting from drinks, desserts, and packaged chili series. Thus, Mangkokku's ambition as a complete culinary solution can be realized.

Alpha JWC Ventures partner Eko Kurniadi said that his party sees the culinary business as a sector that can benefit from venture funding and the use of technology. My bowl has performed brilliantly even during the pandemic.

“This proves that their products have been well received by the community. Our financial and business support as well as our previous experience will help Mangkokku grow faster into a large company,” he said.