Calo expands into UK by acquiring two local companies

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  • Expansion in the UK: Saudi foodtech startup Calo has acquired UK-based Fresh Fitness Food and Detox Kitchen to establish its presence outside the GCC market for the first time.

  • Alignment with Mission: The acquisition enhances Calo’s foundation in the UK by integrating respected brands that share values aligned with its focus on personalized meal subscriptions.

  • Funding and Growth Plans: Calo raised $25 million in a Series B funding round in late 2024, intending to expand further into Europe and the U.S., with plans for a Saudi IPO by 2027.

  • AI-Driven Personalization: Founded in 2019 in Bahrain, Calo uses AI to create tailored meal plans for health-conscious customers, growing its operations into the wider Middle East region.

  • Customer Transition Strategy: The integration of the new brands will ensure that existing customers receive similar meal plans, maintaining service continuity during the transition.

  • Saudi Arabia-headquartered foodtech Calo has expanded into the UK by acquiring Fresh Fitness Food and Detox Kitchen.

  • The acquisition strengthens Calo’s foundation in the UK, integrating two respected brands aligned with its mission.

  • Founded in Bahrain in 2019 by Ahmed Alrawi and Moayed Almoayed, Calo is a direct-to-consumer (D2C) foodtech that provides personalised meal subscriptions to a growing base of health-conscious customers.

  • In December last year, Calo raised $25 million in its Series B funding round, led by Nuwa Capital, with participation from STV and Khwarizmi Ventures, along with regional family offices.

  • Calo, which currently operates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, plans for a Saudi IPO by 2027.

Source: Waya

Bahraini foodtech startup Calo has expanded into the UK with the acquisition of UK-based meal delivery brands Fresh Fitness Food and Detox Kitchen.

This marks its first international move beyond the GCC, aiming to build on its growth in the Middle East. The company stated that the UK was the logical first market outside of MENA due to timezone alignment, a shared language and a strong cultural fit. 

“The UK is a key market for us,” said Ahmed Alrawi, Calo’s founder and CEO, in comments shared by The Grocer. “The integration of Fresh Fitness Food and Detox Kitchen strengthens our foundation in the UK with two highly respected brands whose values align perfectly with Calo’s mission.”

Additionally, Calo aims to further expand internationally into Europe and the United States. 

Calo is a Bahraini foodtech startup focused on healthy meal deliveries. Furthermore, it  uses AI to tailor meal plans to individual fitness goals and dietary preferences. It was founded in 2019 in Bahrain and has since expanded its operations into Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar. 

Detox Kitchen will be integrated into Calo this month, while Fresh Fitness Food will be integrated in May. Furthermore, we will transition customers into Calo with similar meal plans to ensure continuity.

With the acquisition, the startup aims to serve a broader customer base and offer healthy, customised meals that can be delivered daily. 

It is worth noting that at the end of December 2024,  Calo secured a $25 million Series B funding round led by Nuwa Capital. Additionally, they received support from STV, Khawirzimi Ventures, and regional family offices. With the funding, they were planning to expand internationally through mergers and acquisition. 

Here’s the organized information extracted from the provided text about the startup Calo:

Startup Details:

  • Name: Calo
  • Founded: 2019
  • Founders:
    • Ahmed Alrawi
    • Moayed Almoayed
  • Headquarters: Bahrain
  • Industry: Foodtech
  • Business Model: Direct-to-consumer (D2C) meal subscriptions

Recent Activities:

  • Expansion: Entered the UK market by acquiring:
    • Fresh Fitness Food
    • Detox Kitchen
  • Aim: Provide personalized meal subscriptions to health-conscious customers.

Funding Information:

  • Series: Series B
  • Amount Raised: $25 million
  • Date of Fundraise: December 2024
  • Lead Investor: Nuwa Capital
  • Other Investors:
    • STV
    • Khwarizmi Ventures
    • Regional family offices

Future Plans:

  • Next Steps: Plans for a Saudi IPO by 2027.
  • International Expansion: Aiming to expand further into Europe and the United States.

Operational Regions:

  • Current operations in:
    • Saudi Arabia
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Bahrain
    • Qatar
    • Kuwait

This structure provides a clear overview of Calo’s operations, funding, and strategic direction.

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