Top Restaurant CEOs, Exes Join EMERGING Fund to Grow Restaurant Concepts, Technology

Backgrounds Include National Restaurant Association, Leading Restaurant Groups, Tech Unicorns

Top Restaurant CEOs, Exes Join EMERGING Fund to Grow Restaurant Concepts, TechnologyEMERGING Fund, a pioneering growth capital fund situated at the nexus of technology, “ResTech,” and restaurant & entertainment concepts, proudly announces the addition of nearly 30 new investors and limited partners. This expansion significantly bolsters its strategic network and expertise within the industry, now boasting 70 investors who are among the foremost figures in the F&B sector. Among them are predominantly entrepreneurs who have successfully scaled their companies to top industry valuations, some even surpassing multi-billion dollar benchmarks.

The fund offers capital investment, strategic growth resources, mentorship, and invaluable connections for emerging entrepreneurs in the restaurant, restaurant tech, and social entertainment sectors. It provides founders in these domains access to influential industry insiders capable of assisting them in scaling their ventures. This support encompasses leveraging trends spanning health/wellness to experiential dining, harnessing cutting-edge back-end technology, forging strategic partnerships, and more.

“EMERGING Fund has attracted an unparalleled network of restaurant founders and growth leaders to continue our strategic mission of mentoring investments, driving portfolio innovation and fostering collaboration across segments, said CEO Mathew Focht. He continued, “Our shared vision will play an important role in fueling the future of the restaurant industry.’

Notable industry-leading food and beverage executives have come together with several non-disclosed, professional investors to support the EMERGING Fund’s investment portfolio.

Industry executives include; John Reisigl, President of Cheney Brothers; Steve Difillippo,  Founder of Davios; Randy Dewitt, Chairman of Front Burner Society; Taylor Katzman, Founder/CEO of Provi; Joe Kahn, Founder of Condado Tacos; Nick Hogan, Co-founder/CEO of Flagship; Scott Redler, Past Chairman of the National Restaurant Association and co-founder of Freddy’s; Sterling Douglass, Co-Founder of Chowly; Jay Stieber, Former Chairman of the National Restaurant Association and General Counsel at Lettuce Entertain You; Damian Mogavero, Founder of Avero; and Scott Lawton, Co-Founder of Bartaco.

The general partners include Matt Menna, Managing Principal and Chief Design Officer at Sterling Bay/Four Corners; John Davie, Founder & CEO of Buyers Edge Platform; and Mathew Focht, the Founder & CEO of EMERGING.

The EMERGING Fund’s portfolio comprises interactive ‘eatertainment’ concepts such as Puttshack, F1 Arcade, and Flight Club, along with hospitality technology companies Tablz, 1huddle, Botrista, and Overproof. These investments have been pivotal in driving the long-term growth of the fund.

For more information about EMERGING Fund and its mission to transform the restaurant industry, please visit EMERGING.com/fund.

EMERGING Fund is a growth capital fund at the forefront of the technology-driven transformation in the restaurant and entertainment sector. Committed to reshaping the industry, EMERGING Fund provides capital, strategic assistance, and industry knowledge to innovative companies. With a focus on leveraging technology for positive change, EMERGING Fund invests in ventures that reimagine the guest experience, enhance operational efficiency, and promote sustainability.