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Bahrain’s Calo acquires UK meal delivery brands

By Chris Hamill-Stewart
Calo seeks to differentiate itself by using AI to offer customised meal subscriptions Alamy via Reuters
Calo seeks to differentiate itself by using AI to offer customised meal subscriptions

Calo, a Bahraini foodtech startup, is making its first foray outside of the Gulf by expanding into the UK.

The company, which was founded in Bahrain but now has its headquarters in Saudi Arabia, is acquiring UK-based meal delivery brands Fresh Fitness Food and Detox Kitchen in the expansion.

Caspar Rose, the former head of Fresh Fitness Food, will take over as general manager of Calo UK.

In December, Calo closed a $25 million funding round and the company is understood to be eyeing an IPO in Saudi Arabia in 2027.

Calo seeks to differentiate itself by using AI to offer customised meal subscriptions for specialised segments like weight loss, high protein intake or balanced meals.

The company delivered over 10 million meals in 2024 across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, with meals prices ranging from $7 to $9.

Calo is now valued at around $250 million, according to sources cited by TechCrunch.

The meal delivery market in the Middle East will hit $11.2 billion by 2030, according to a 2023 report from MarkNtel Advisors.

Beyond the UK, Calo aims to further expand internationally into Europe and US. 

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