• On February 17, in Bucharest, Food Angels Hub, the investor community dedicated to supporting businesses in the food industry, is organizing the first Pitching Day of the year, dedicated to entrepreneurs looking for investments and partnerships.
"Food Angels Hub is not a classic accelerator nor a purely financial fund. It is a platform built by operators for operators. The major difference is that we offer direct access to real experience in HoReCa, retail, production and distribution, not just theory or generic mentoring. We know what it means to deliver daily, not just present a deck. We get involved practically, punctually, where the business can get stuck: listings, prices, processes, negotiations, supply chains. In addition, the selection is very careful. We prefer interaction with few startups, but with which we can work deeply, instead of crowded programs with diluted impact,” states Daniel Donici, founder of Artesana and founding member of Food Angels Hub.
The criteria that guide Food Angels Hub investments
When evaluating early-stage startups, Food Angels Hub investors focus on the founder's expertise, the real relevance of the product, and the clarity of the growth direction. Beyond the specific numbers, what matters is the team's mentality, the discipline in execution, and the ability to build a sustainable business, with a well-defined niche and a realistic expansion plan.
"In the early stage, the founder is decisive. The product can be adjusted, the market can be redefined, but the founder's mindset, discipline and ability to execute are essential. We then look at the product: it should have a real reason to exist, not just a marketing angle. Traction is important, but we read it contextually: we prefer healthy, even slower growth, than forced volume, without a solid foundation. The size of the market matters, but especially the clarity of the initial niche and the realism of the expansion plan. We are not looking for the "next unicorn", but businesses that can become profitable, scalable and relevant in the long term," he adds Daniel Donici.
Entrepreneurs who want to present their businesses to the Food Angels Hub investor community can register by accessing official website.
What Food Angels Hub members look for after funding a startup
After investment, the success of a food business lies in the ability to deliver clear results and build scalable processes. Food Angels Hub investors emphasize measurable progress, stable teams, and the pace at which founders turn initial validation into a solid operating model.
“After the investment, we are less interested in promises and more in concrete progress, visible in numbers and operations. In the first 6–12 months, we look at the clear validation of the concept in the chosen segment, the real customer base and, very importantly, their return rate. In parallel, we monitor the maturation of internal processes and the ability of the founders to control costs and daily activities. An essential indicator for us remains the team: staff turnover and satisfaction levels quickly tell whether a business is healthy and sustainable. In the 12–24 month period, the focus naturally shifts to standardization, productivity and scaling – the ability to consistently deliver the same experience and quality, with greater operational efficiency and in more locations. These are, in our view, clear signals that a food startup can build real growth,” he says. Albert Davidoglu, CEO Macromex and founding member of Food Angels Hub.
The main trends in 2026 in the food industry
According to the members of the Food Angels Hub, in 2026 we are no longer talking about "trends" in the classic sense, but about direction corrections that become mainstream. Thus, a growth in the segment of whole foods, minimally processed, with simple ingredients and processing that bring real nutritional benefits - such as fermentation, cold pressing or maturation - is anticipated. In parallel, the demand for functional products and beverages with a clear role in supporting digestive health, immunity and energy is increasing.
"For food companies, Product Value Engineering means maximizing the value perceived by the consumer in relation to the total cost, without compromising quality, safety or brand positioning. We are not talking about reducing costs at any cost, but about intelligent optimization of each component – from the recipe and ingredients, to packaging, processes and logistics. The essence is simple: invest where the consumer perceives real value and eliminate costs that do not contribute to this perception. In HoReCa, the same logic translates into optimizing the business model: simplified concepts, short menus and clear operations, adapted to margin pressure and staff shortages. In parallel, we observe a growing interest in international tastes – for example Japanese and Korean cuisine – integrated into local, accessible and easy-to-scale concepts,” adds Albert Davidoglu.
About Food Angels Hub:
Food Angels Hub is the first investor community in Romania dedicated to accelerating companies in the food, HoReCa and technology industries. Launched in 2025, the Hub brings together leaders with experience in retail, hospitality, investment and IT, providing entrepreneurs with access to capital, mentorship, operational know-how and strategic partnerships.
The mission of Food Angels Hub is to transform Romania into a regional food innovation hub and to support the internationalization of Romanian companies, through smart investments and collaborations with real impact on the economy and society.
More information: www.foodangels.vc
Contact: florin@foodangels.vc
Article source: Press Release
Read on White Art and: Food Angels Hub is launched – the first community of investors that accelerates companies in HoReCa and the food industry
