This week, six ventures will complete for up to $50,000 in the 2020 Global Impact Award. We are thrilled to introduce the scalable, sustainable, and quick-to-market ventures with proof of concept and a broad impact. Today’s feature is GiftAMeal.
About GiftAMeal
The GiftAMeal mobile app provides a socially conscious incentive to support partner restaurants. GiftAMeal helps provide a meal to someone in need each time a user takes a photo at a partner restaurant.
Industry: Restaurant Marketing
Number of Employees: 3 full-time, two part-time, two interns
Total Funding (as of March 2020): $265,000
About the Founder:
Andrew Glantz is the Founder and CEO of GiftAMeal. So far, over 200 restaurants have joined GiftAMeal, and over 400,000 meals have been provided. In addition to GiftAMeal, Glantz serves on the Washington University in St. Louis Alumni Board of Governors and guest lectures at the university on topics such as marketing, negotiations, and entrepreneurship. Prior to GiftAMeal, Glantz ran a non-profit storefront that promoted re-use and sustainability and served as Vice President of a children’s charity that raised over $300,000 during his four-year tenure. Glantz graduated Magna Cum Laude from Washington University in St. Louis in 2017, where he received the Joseph W. Towle prize for top leadership potential and was voted Most Likely to be a Billionaire by his peers. Glantz was named to the Alpha Kappa Psi 40 Under 40 List as well as the St. Louis Business Journal’s 30 Under 30 List, where he was the youngest person on the list.
What problem is GiftAMeal solving?
Restaurants needing more customers and increased loyalty.
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned since starting your venture?
Build your brand with integrity like every decision you made was public, ask for help, and stay agile to adapt as situations change.
What do you love about being an entrepreneur?
I love being an entrepreneur since I am able to spend every minute of my day impacting others: our client restaurants, the food-insecure in our community, our users, our employees, our partners, our investors, and others in the community that look at GiftAMeal as an example of a profits with a purpose company.
What words of advice do you have for those interested in starting a venture?
Start small and cheap to validate that there is a need for your business, get feedback from your would-be customers, learn, and constantly iterate.
Website: https://www.giftameal.com/about
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giftameal/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GiftAMeal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giftameal/