Pepper, a firm crafting a complete tech solution for autonomous food providers, declared that it has procured $50 million in a Series C round. The capital will be directed toward speeding up innovation, enhancing AI proficiency, and broadening the platform’s acceptance within the independent distribution network.
The funding was spearheaded by Lead Edge Capital with backing from current stakeholders— ICONIQ, Index Ventures, Greylock, Harmony Partners, and Interplay.
Pepper delivers an array of tools that aid independent providers in expanding and boosting output by modernizing crucial business workflows—from taking orders and managing sales to accounts receivable and incorporated payments.
Currently, the organization supports over 500 distributors, who collectively generate roughly $30 billion in yearly GMV, and assists more than 100,000 active operators throughout the nation.
“Product distribution stands as one of the most substantial and foundational markets globally, yet it has historically relied on manual procedures and disconnected technologies,” stated Pepper CEO Bovie Cheng. “This recent funding infusion will enable us to cultivate the next iteration of platform functionalities, spanning from order oversight to sales effectiveness and payment instruments.”
Independent providers comprise in excess of two-thirds of the North American food distribution sector, representing over $1.4 trillion in yearly revenue. Nonetheless, the sector continues to be disjointed and largely dependent on outdated and non-digital systems.
Pepper integrates upwards of 70 ERP systems into a unified digital operational core, making it possible to update processes without entirely substituting your present IT framework.
According to Lead Edge Capital partner Aaron Darr, Pepper is constructing a shared technology groundwork for a market that has customarily functioned in “silos.”
The firm intends to employ the obtained funds for:
- initiating next-gen AI and analytical resolutions to elevate margins and automate recurring processes;
- creation of essential platform components—Storefront, Sales Hub, Order Agent, Finance Hub, and Growth Agent;
- expanding integrations to connect fresh clients at a faster pace;
- reinforcing go-to-market and customer fulfillment roles.
Clients are already observing the influence of the platform. Flanagan Foodservice, specifically, highlights that the Pepper solution has provided the team with “enhanced transparency and speed.” Palmer Food Services deems the platform a strategic investment in enduring digital advancement.