Australian restaurant platform EatClub has raised AU$18.2 million (US$11.6 million) in series A funding as it serves up into the UK market. The company plans to implement its unique pricing model in London as part of this growth.

The funding round was led by Melbourne-based Co:Act Capital, with contributions from Gandel Invest, Marbruck, and Platform Advisory.

The new funding will also support the development of its product offerings. EatClub launched its UK operations in late April 2025.

Founded in 2017, EatClub enables restaurants to fill empty tables through real-time pricing adjustments. This strategy is similar to those used in the airline and hotel sectors.

🔗 Source: SmartCompany

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ EatClub’s funding success bucks the broader FoodTech funding contraction

EatClub’s $18.2 million Series A comes during a period of tightening investment across the global food technology sector, making their raise particularly notable.

Global agrifoodtech funding reached $16 billion in 2024, reflecting a 4% decline from 2023 and continuing a downward trend from previous years 1.

European FoodTech startups specifically saw funding decrease to €4.1B in 2024 from €4.2B in 2023, following a more dramatic 57% drop from 2021’s peak 2.

This reflects broader investment caution, with DigitalFoodLab noting that “appetite for long-term investments in unproven trends is waning among investors” 2.

Against this backdrop, EatClub’s substantial raise signals strong investor confidence in their business model and growth trajectory, particularly with their 190% growth in 2024 outpacing the sector’s general performance.

The company’s decision to “double down on innovation” during COVID-19 rather than scale back appears to have positioned them advantageously in a market where investors are now prioritizing proven business models over speculative ventures.

2️⃣ EatClub’s pandemic pivots mirror broader restaurant technology adaptation trends

EatClub’s development of their payments system during the pandemic reflects a wider industry trend where restaurants rapidly adopted new technologies to survive and thrive in changed market conditions.

The pandemic forced restaurants to drastically alter their operations, with technology becoming essential for enhancing customer experiences and streamlining operations 3.