Platable Company Profile

Background

Platable is a UAE-based food-tech startup founded on March 31, 2024, by Salmaan Mohammad and Mustafa Abdul-Rahman. The company's mission is to combat food waste in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region by creating a marketplace that connects consumers with surplus food from restaurants, cafés, and supermarkets. Platable's vision is to foster a sustainable food ecosystem by reducing waste and providing affordable meal options to consumers.

Key Strategic Focus

Platable's core objective is to minimize food waste by enabling food and beverage (F&B) outlets to sell their daily surplus food as discounted "Surprise Boxes." This approach not only helps businesses reduce operational waste but also attracts new customers and improves profit margins. The company leverages a user-friendly mobile application to facilitate these transactions, targeting urban consumers seeking affordable dining options and businesses aiming to manage surplus inventory efficiently.

Financials and Funding

Platable secured pre-seed funding on February 1, 2025, with backing from prominent UAE-based angel investors, including Rashid Aslam, promoter of the Humanely Honest initiative. The capital is intended to support the company's rapid growth, technological development, and regional expansion plans.

Pipeline Development

Since its beta launch in December 2024, Platable has onboarded over 65 F&B brands, including major players like Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, and Common Grounds. The platform has achieved close to 10,000 organic downloads, with an official launch scheduled for mid-Ramadan 2025. The company anticipates selling 75-80% of all listed daily inventory upon full launch.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Platable's proprietary mobile application serves as the primary platform connecting consumers with surplus food offerings. The app features:

Surprise Boxes: Packages containing a variety of surplus food items from local eateries, available at discounted prices.

Marketplace Platform: An online platform enabling consumers to purchase surplus food at reduced rates from participating outlets.

The platform's design emphasizes ease of use, allowing consumers to reserve and pay for Surprise Boxes seamlessly, while providing F&B outlets with a straightforward interface to list surplus inventory.

Leadership Team

Salmaan Mohammad, Co-Founder & CEO: With over 10 years of experience in building ecosystems, partnerships, and businesses in the MENAP region, Salmaan is dedicated to creating tech-driven sustainability solutions. In his free time, he enjoys camping and exploring the outdoors.

Mustafa Abdul-Rahman, Co-Founder & CTO: Mustafa brings over 12 years of experience in developing mobile applications, platforms, and tech teams. He played a pivotal role in building Postmates from the ground up and contributed to core features at Uber Eats. He spends his free time hiking national parks.

Leadership Changes

As of July 14, 2025, there have been no significant changes or appointments within Platable's leadership team.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The global food waste management market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing awareness of environmental sustainability and the economic benefits of reducing waste. In the UAE, the government aims to cut food waste by 50% by 2030, aligning with initiatives like Platable's.

Competitor Analysis

Too Good To Go: A European-based platform that allows consumers to purchase surplus food from local businesses at discounted prices. While it has a strong presence in Europe, its footprint in the MENA region is limited.

Olio: A UK-based app connecting neighbors and local businesses to share surplus food. Its community-driven model differs from Platable's business-focused approach.

Kitopi: A UAE-based cloud kitchen platform that manages delivery-only restaurants. While not directly focused on surplus food, its operations intersect with the F&B sector.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Platable has established partnerships with over 65 F&B brands, including Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, and Common Grounds. Additionally, the company has been selected for the 10th cohort of the Misk Entrepreneurship Accelerator, a program backed by the Saudi Arabian government to foster and scale innovative businesses.

Operational Insights

Platable operates on a commission-based model, charging vendors a small percentage per order while keeping the service free for consumers. This strategy incentivizes F&B outlets to participate without significant financial risk. The platform's focus on sustainability and affordability provides a competitive edge in the growing market for food waste solutions.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Platable plans to expand its operations across the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Future initiatives include introducing subscription models for vendors, establishing corporate partnerships, and enabling donations through the platform in collaboration with government entities and charitable foundations. These efforts aim to enhance the platform's impact on reducing food waste and promoting sustainable consumption practices.