“Munch, Mix and Make Merry” with Entrepreneur Ravi Priya

If you think it’s time for you to take a break from virtual networking and meet new people, YourStory has found out about a startup called MunchWithUs, that might just give you a new reason to mingle and enjoy a meal.

MunchWithUs is an online service, where people can browse through a list of dinner events in their favourite restaurants and join one of the groups over a glass of wine. Those who are interested just have to buy a pass online and show up on the fixed date.

The idea for MunchWithUs came from the yearning that we all have these days to meet new people in a more fun and a less awkward environment, says its founder Ravi Priya, a technical research analyst by profession and someone who often finds himself chatting up with random people in parties and coffee-shops.

“When we are new to a city, we often find ourselves lost. We don’t know where to dine and enjoy a good company and that’s where MunchWithUs aims to carve out a niche for itself.

Inspired by the Chicago-based start-up company GrubWithUs, MunchWithUs became operational in December last year and has a core team of four members. They are expanding their sales team, and have also hired few college interns to work with them.

It currently operates in Bangalore and offers four categories to pick from – social meals, group meals, charity meals and famous meals, where one can have lunch or dinner with celebrities without shelling out a bomb.

The company takes a cut from the restaurants it ties up with and is looking for partnerships with restaurants and corporate offices to help arrange their occasional dine-out parties. They are planning to expand their services across all cities.

“As social dining is a new concept in India and we are still opening up to it, it is difficult to make users comfortable with it in the beginning. Thus, convincing the restaurants was one of the toughest jobs for us”, said Ravi.

MunchWithUs is mostly self-funded but Ravi is looking to raise more funds and is hopeful of a successful deal in the coming days.

So if you have been feeling reluctant in making new friends or not sure where to take your new boss for lunch, you might just want to check out MunchwithUs and take a chance at impressing him over a smart conversation, while a celebrity smiles at you across the table.

Author: Krishnakali Sengupta