Burpple digital food guide gets S$8.45m funding

Screenshot of Burpple, a food recommendation app. PHOTO: BURRPLE

SINGAPORE - A digital guide to restaurants and cafes in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur has received up to US$6 million (S$8.45 million) to expand into other Asian cities.

Burpple, a mobile application and website that helps users decide where to eat based on recommendations from other food-lovers and its in-house editors, added Tembusu Partners, SPH Media Fund and Triumph Capital to its long list of investors in this latest round of fund-raising.

Launched in 2012 by three Singaporeans, the company's existing shareholders include Neoteny Labs, Silicon Straits, NUS Technologies Holdings and QuestVC.

Tembusu is a private-equity firm that invests in fast-growing companies, while SPH Media Fund is the venture-capital arm of Singapore Press Holdings. The third investor Triumph Capital, focuses on facilitating transnational investments between Australia and China as well as other Asian markets.

Burpple will use the funds to enhance its existing features, introduce complementary dining services, and hire engineers and product development staff for its regional expansion.

Its user base has doubled to more than four million over the last 12 months. Earlier this year, it launched an online service to help food and beverage owners expand their reach by connecting with Burpple users.

More than 1,000 owners have signed up for the Burpple for Business service, which will be further improved using the fresh funds.

"Our mission is to help people enjoy life by finding the perfect places to eat with the people they love," said co-founder Dixon Chan, who is also the chief executive of the company.

"Whether it's a first date, a business meeting, a weekend dinner with the family, or just a quick snack, Burpple is for you."

Tembusu Partners chairman Andy Lim said: "Consumers are always looking for recommendations for the best eating places.

"Burpple's unique platform, which localises food discovery, has made a name for itself in the few years that it has been in business. We are glad to be able to play a part in their next phase of growth."

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