current
past
Project Context
Chefis is a pioneering food delivery application designed to bridge the gap between home chefs and consumers, offering an alternative to traditional restaurant-based delivery services. Launched in October 2018, Chefis aimed to democratize the food delivery landscape by providing a platform where culinary enthusiasts could showcase their skills, support local economies, and offer diverse, home-cooked meals to a broader audience.
Role & Approach
As the Cofounder & CEO from October 2018 to December 2019, I led the strategic vision and operational management of Chefis. My responsibilities included defining long-term goals, overseeing daily operations, and driving business development through partnerships with home chefs and marketing channels. Emphasizing a user-centric design approach, I utilized data-driven insights to enhance the platform’s functionality and user experience, ensuring both chefs and consumers found the service intuitive and reliable.
Conceptual & Cultural Influences
The development of Chefis was deeply influenced by a combination of academic insights, cultural movements, and entrepreneurial theories.Chefis was shaped by key theoretical and cultural frameworks. Carolyn Steele’s Hungry Cities (2020) underscored the importance of addressing urban food insecurity, inspiring our mission to provide equitable access to nutritious meals. Drawing from the sharing economy model (Botsman & Rogers, 2010), Chefis facilitated peer-to-peer transactions, empowering home chefs similarly to platforms like Airbnb and Uber. The Slow Food movement (Petrini, 2007) influenced our dedication to culinary diversity and sustainable practices, while social entrepreneurship theory (Dees, 1998) guided our focus on generating social value alongside economic success. These influences collectively informed Chefis’s commitment to creating a sustainable and inclusive food ecosystem.
Engagement & Reflection
Throughout the development of Chefis, I engaged extensively with various stakeholders, including home chefs, consumers, investors, and community leaders. One of the key reflections from this experience was the critical importance of community building; the success of Chefis depended on creating a strong, engaged community where trust and mutual support could flourish. I also learned that adaptability is essential, as being responsive to user feedback and market trends was crucial for making iterative improvements.
Impact & Takeaways
Chefis achieved significant milestones, including being a finalist in the Food & City Startup Competition at SXSW and winning the People’s Choice Award. Participation in Mexico City’s inaugural WeWork Labs accelerator program provided valuable mentorship and resources that accelerated our growth. These accomplishments validated Chefis’s value proposition and underscored the potential of technology to empower individuals and support local economies.
Achievements:
- Finalists in the Food & City Startup Competition at SXSW, where they won the "People's Choice Award."
- Participated in Mexico City's inaugural WeWork Labs accelerator program.
Location: Mexico City
Years: 2013-2015