We recently connected with Schapiro Kalu and have shared our conversation below.
Schapiro, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
At Cravvn, our mission is to “Transform the Way People Interact with Food, Making Sustainable Choices Accessible to All.” But this mission isn’t just a statement; it’s the culmination of personal experiences, industry insights, and a deep-seated desire to drive positive change.
The Genesis: Our founding team’s journey began with a common frustration: the overwhelming paradox of choice in the food industry. We’d find ourselves, like many others, standing in front of open fridges or scrolling through endless restaurant menus, unsure of what to eat. This indecision wasn’t just about personal preference; it reflected broader issues – food waste, unsustainable production practices, and the inaccessibility of healthy options for many.
The ‘Aha’ Moment: During a particularly poignant conversation with a family and friend struggling to manage a new dietary restriction and trying to determine what to eat, we realized the emotional and practical burdens of navigating the food landscape. This wasn’t just about meals; it was about well-being, community, and the future of our planet. We asked ourselves, “What if technology could harmonize our relationship with food, making it easier to choose sustainably and enjoyable meals?”
Why This Mission Matters: For us, the mission is personal and multifaceted:
Sustainability: We’re deeply concerned about the environmental footprint of the food industry. By promoting mindful consumption and reducing food waste, we contribute to a more eco-friendly future.
Health Equity: We believe everyone deserves access to nutritious food, regardless of socioeconomic background or dietary needs. Our platform aims to democratize healthy choices.
Community Building: Food is a universal language. We envision Cravvn as a catalyst for connections – between people, their health, the planet, and the joy of sharing meals.
Living the Mission: Every decision at Cravvn is filtered through our mission. From developing AI that learns and adapts to users’ sustainable and dietary preferences, to fostering partnerships that amplify our impact, we’re committed to walking the talk. Our team’s diverse backgrounds and shared passion for this mission ensure that empathy, innovation, and integrity are woven into every aspect of our work.
Schapiro, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Getting to Know the Team Behind Cravvn: Pioneers in Personalized Dining Experiences
As the management team of Cravvn, we’re excited to introduce ourselves and share our journey into the innovative world of food technology. Our paths, though diverse, converge on a shared passion for leveraging technology to enhance people’s lives, particularly when it comes to the universal language of food.
Meet the Team:
Schapiro, CEO: With a decade of experience in consumer psychology and cybersecurity, having worked with giants like Capital One Bank and Hewlett Packard, I bring a unique blend of understanding human behavior and safeguarding user data. My personal frustration with mealtime indecision sparked the idea for Cravvn, aiming to transform the dining experience with personalized recommendations while prioritizing user privacy.
Michael, CTO: As a seasoned mobile development expert, with successes at Capital One and StockX under my belt, I focus on crafting Cravvn’s AI-powered recommendation system. My 10-year journey in computer science has equipped me to drive technological innovation, making meal planning intuitive and enjoyable.
Ebikiri, COO: With 13 years of experience in building scalable systems for Fortune 500 companies, I’m dedicated to ensuring Cravvn’s business operations and backend architecture is not only robust but also designed with the user experience and community building in mind. My expertise will be pivotal in driving adoption and growth.
Tomiwa, CDO: Bringing 8 years of data engineering expertise, with a specialization in backend and Android development, and a unique perspective from working with government entities, I focus on blending security, reliability, and user-centric design to propel Cravvn forward.
What We Do:
At Cravvn, we provide a revolutionary AI-driven meal planning and grocery shopping platform. Our service solves the pervasive problem of mealtime indecision, offering personalized recommendations that cater to individual preferences, dietary needs, and sustainable living aspirations. By integrating with grocery retailers and restaurants, we streamline the dining experience, reducing food waste and making healthy, sustainable choices accessible to all.
What Sets Us Apart:
User Privacy: Unwavering commitment to protecting user data, reflecting our team’s deep cybersecurity expertise.
Personalization: AI-powered recommendations that learn and adapt to users’ evolving preferences.
Sustainability Focus: Dedicated to reducing food waste and promoting eco-friendly dining practices.
What We’re Most Proud Of:
Innovative Spirit: Pioneering a new standard in the food-tech industry.
User-Centric Approach: Placing the needs and preferences of our users at the forefront of every development decision.
Diverse, Experienced Team: United by a shared vision, our team’s eclectic backgrounds and skills ensure a holistic approach to transforming the dining experience.
What We Want You to Know:
Join the Transformation: Be part of a movement that’s redefining how we interact with food, making sustainable, healthy choices easier for everyone.
Trust and Transparency: We prioritize your data privacy and the transparency of our operations.
Innovation is Ongoing: Stay tuned for updates, new features, and partnerships that will continue to enhance your Cravvn experience.
Any advice for managing a team?
Managing a Team with High Morale at Cravvn
Our advice for managing a team with high morale is rooted in our experiences at Cravvn. We emphasize embracing diversity and empathy, where each team member’s unique background and expertise are valued. We foster a culture of trust and transparency through open communication, acknowledging achievements, and providing opportunities for growth and learning. This approach encourages continuous education, cross-functional collaboration, and acknowledging effort and milestones. We also prioritize work-life harmony with flexible arrangements and wellness initiatives, underscoring our commitment to holistic well-being.
Key Takeaways for Thriving Teams
To recap, our key takeaways for managing a high-morale team include: leading with empathy, prioritizing transparency, cultivating growth, acknowledging effort, and fostering harmony. By embracing these principles, we’ve witnessed our team thrive in the pursuit of revolutionizing the food-tech landscape. At Cravvn, we believe this balanced approach fuels creativity, drives innovation, and ultimately, transforms the way people interact with food.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
At Cravvn, our journey began with a passion for transforming the food-tech landscape. Initially, we bootstrapped our business, with our founding team investing personal savings and dedicating countless hours to develop our AI-driven meal planning platform. However, as expenses grew so did our need to scale. To fuel this growth, we strategically sought external funding, leading us to participate in the Concept Capital Pitch competition with TEDCO.
Securing $25k to Fuel Growth Our pitch showcased Cravvn’s innovative solution to mealtime indecision, highlighting our scalable business model and potential for societal impact. The TEDCO Concept Capital Pitch competition’s rigorous evaluation process validated our vision, and we were awarded $25,000 to accelerate our growth. This strategic funding has enabled us to enhance our platform, expand our team, and further develop our AI technology. With this injection of capital, we’re poised to revolutionize the way people interact with food, making sustainable, healthy choices more accessible to all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cravvn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cravvn/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cravvn/
Image Credits
Image Credits: Cravvn, Inc.