Jeff Grass of HUNGRY
An exclusive Tech Tribune Q&A with Jeff Grass, the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of HUNGRY, which was honored in our:
Tell us the origin story of HUNGRY – what problem were you trying to solve and why?
We were there – in the office of our last startup, staring down a plate of bland, unhealthy food that we’d eaten what felt like a hundred times before. There must be something better, some way to make lunch exciting again. We then came up with the idea of connecting great local chefs with companies – to solve two problems at the same time. HUNGRY provides local chefs the opportunity for significant income, greater lifestyle flexibility, and a way to build a personal brand, while also providing hungry office workers higher quality, healthier office food that is cost affordable and delivered reliably with amazing service.
What was the biggest hurdle you encountered in your journey?
Building the technology platform that enables our digital marketplace to operate reliably, scalably, and cost effectively has taken a tremendous amount of time, money, and hard work to create. Without it, our unique business model isn’t possible. Building it has taken years and includes tremendous complexity.
What does the future hold for HUNGRY?
With the arrival of COVID-19, HUNGRY has rapidly launched 4 new businesses ranging from contracting out our food production and delivery capabilities to making and delivering family style home meals to virtual chef experience events. While our core market of business and event catering are slow, our new businesses are growing like wildfire. In the process, we’re evolving from a platform that connects companies with top local chefs for business and event catering to a platform of top local chefs and food delivery and logistics services for providing better food solutions for both businesses and consumers.
What are your thoughts on the local tech startup scene in Arlington?
Arlington has a vibrant tech startup scene that is supported by both our county government and a strong angel investor community. As I’ve personally founded three venture capital-backed startups in Arlington, I can tell you it’s a great place to launch a tech business!
What’s your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Follow your passion and trust your gut. Provide your team clarity on your strategy, goals, and values. Most of all, make sure you enjoy the journey as it’s a marathon, not a sprint!