Chefia raised $190K in a round led by Investidores.vc Empowering Brazil’s Food Service Entrepreneurs

Chefia, the Brazilian platform dedicated to supporting food service entrepreneurs, has raised $190K in a new funding round led by Investidores.vc ($171K) and Anjos do Brasil ($19K). The platform helps restaurant owners navigate challenges through education, tools, and benefits, addressing a critical market need where nearly 70% of establishments close within two years.

Accelerating Growth and Expanding Reach

With the new investment, Chefia aims to reach over 200,000 entrepreneurs and 500,000 food service professionals by the end of 2026.

“This funding accelerates our ability to scale and activate the base we have already built, creating the largest community of food service entrepreneurs in Brazil,” said Pedro Pontes, CEO and founder of Chefia.

The platform currently manages more than $37.5M per month in Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) through its network of 60,000 entrepreneurs.

Chefia operates on a freemium model, offering both free and premium subscription plans, providing access to resources that span education, financial management, marketing, and operational tools.

Pontes explains, “Our goal is clear: to become the central platform for Brazil’s food service sector, supporting entrepreneurs in education, finance, purchases, marketing, and data.”

Introducing Chefia Bank: Financial Solutions for Restaurant Owners

One of Chefia’s strategic initiatives is the upcoming launch of Chefia Bank, a fintech designed to streamline financial operations for restaurant owners. The solution will offer loans, credit, accounts, and other financial tools tailored specifically to the food service industry.

Although the current investment is not directly allocated to Chefia Bank, it strengthens the platform’s foundation and user base, preparing it for a successful fintech launch.

Pontes emphasizes, “We want that when someone talks about being a restaurant owner, they immediately think of Chefia. Just as Mercado Livre dominates e-commerce and Uber leads mobility, Chefia aims to be the central hub for food service.”

Investor Confidence and Market Potential

Amure Pinho, founder of Investidores.vc, highlights Chefia’s unique value proposition:

“Chefia combines education, community, data, and technology in a highly scalable model. The team demonstrates real traction in a huge market, making Chefia the main reference for food service entrepreneurs in Brazil.”

Pinho underscores that the sector’s resilience and the platform’s engagement metrics were decisive factors in the investment decision.

Future Projections and Sector Impact

Looking ahead, Chefia will focus on massive user growth, strengthening partnerships with brands and the industry, and developing new technological solutions. The platform already provides training for managers and service staff, addressing the needs of over 9 million food service professionals in Brazil.

“This is a very interesting moment for the sector, and entrepreneurs have everything to gain,” Pontes concludes.

Pinho adds that entrepreneurship in Brazil “is not for amateurs,” requiring adaptability and strategic thinking, particularly in a sector increasingly shaped by innovation and artificial intelligence.