Croatian food-tech startup Crumbs secures €600,000 investment to tackle food waste

Antonio Matušan and Robert Bukvić (Photo: Crumbs)

ZAGREB, 7 May 2026 – Crumbs, the Croatian platform connecting hospitality businesses and retailers with surplus food to consumers seeking discounted meals, has successfully closed a €600,000 seed funding round.

The sole investor in the round is AYMO Ventures, a domestic venture capital fund managing €57 million in assets. Following the investment, the company’s valuation is estimated at several million euros.

The fresh capital will be used to strengthen Crumbs’ market position in Croatia, support regional expansion and accelerate the development of artificial intelligence tools designed to optimise food supply chains.

A platform tackling a billion-euro problem

Croatia throws away more than 280,000 tonnes of food each year, nearly 71 kilograms per person, with almost 40% of that waste consisting of food still safe for consumption.

Crumbs addresses the issue through a simple digital model. Bakeries, restaurants, cafés and retailers use the platform to offer surplus unsold food packages at discounts of at least 50% below regular retail prices.

Users purchase “surprise packages” through the app, pay online and collect them directly from participating businesses within a specified time slot.

(Photo: Crumbs)

Since launching, Crumbs has recorded rapid growth, reaching more than 500 partners across 10 Croatian cities, attracting over 90,000 users and helping save more than 80,000 food packages from going to waste.

One of the company’s key partners is Mlinar, Croatia’s largest bakery chain and the first national brand to recognise the platform’s business potential.

(Photo: Crumbs)

In the coming weeks, Crumbs plans to announce partnerships with two additional major supermarket chains, whose identities remain confidential for now.

The agreements are expected to significantly expand the platform’s availability across nearly all major Croatian cities.

From student inspiration to scalable business

Crumbs was founded in 2024 by Antonio Matušan, who first encountered the concept while studying in Milan and using a similar app as a student.

After returning to Croatia, and having previously run a startup specialising in vacuum-packed ready meals, Matušan saw first-hand how much food was being discarded and recognised the same issue in the Croatian market.

He was later joined by Robert Bukvić, known for developing and scaling international business ventures, including the global coworking company rent24, which he successfully built and sold. Bukvić joined Crumbs as co-founder and first investor, bringing both capital and international scaling experience.

“Every day, tonnes of perfectly good food are thrown away, while more and more households are carefully managing their spending. Crumbs bridges those two challenges,” said Matušan.

“We help partners reduce waste while generating additional revenue, and at the same time give users access to quality food at significantly lower prices. This investment is not just capital, it is confirmation that the model works and that we have the right foundations for the next stage of growth.”

(Photo: Crumbs)

Bukvić added: “After my very first conversation with Antonio, it was clear there was huge potential – both in the problem being solved and in the person solving it. His energy, focus and ability to execute quickly convinced me to join as co-founder. Crumbs has all the prerequisites for growth far beyond the region.”

Institutional backing for future growth

AYMO Ventures was established in June 2025 and manages two funds with combined assets of €57 million. Supported by the European Investment Fund, Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Croatian and regional pension funds, the venture capital firm focuses on startups and scaleups that have already validated their business model and market demand and are seeking capital for regional or global expansion.

The fund has previously backed several successful Croatian ventures, including ORQA and financial planning platform Farseer.

“Crumbs is an example of a startup that has quickly demonstrated its model works in a demanding domestic market, through numbers, partners and users, not just an idea,” AYMO said in a statement.

“It is a food-tech company with a clear climate and economic purpose, proven market demand and an excellent team. That is exactly the profile of company we invest in.”

AI tools and regional expansion plans

Crumbs plans to invest the new funding in three strategic areas.

The first is strengthening its position in Croatia, particularly through upcoming partnerships with major retail chains that will make the platform available in almost every major Croatian city, alongside the launch of customer loyalty programmes.

The second focus is regional expansion, with preparations already underway for launches in Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, markets facing similar food waste challenges and growing consumer interest in sustainability, focused platforms.

The third priority is the development of AI-powered tools for business clients. Crumbs is currently developing and testing solutions aimed at helping supermarkets and retail chains predict surplus inventory and optimise supply chains, allowing food waste to be reduced at its source before products even reach store shelves.

Through these initiatives, the company says it is sending a clear message of collaboration to retail chains and partners across Croatia.