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The Company completed its first formal round of funding in 2013, raising $3 million from investors including Salzberg’s former employer Bessemer Venture Partners. According to reports, if they began to run low on ingredients one of the co-founders would have to visit a local grocery to ensure all orders were filled. The Blue Apron team began boxing and delivering orders in August 2012, with early customers offered a choice between three meals: fish, poultry, or beef or pork. As neither Salzberg nor Papas had any knowledge of the food industry they decided to bring on chef and food wholesaler Wadiak, a friend of the Salzberg family, as their food expert and Chief Operating Officer.
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The eventually developed the concept behind Blue Apron, with the idea of providing a cheap and convenient way for customers to cook interesting and well-balanced meals. After holding a small round of funding among family and friends, the pair began developing business ideas. In 2011 Salzberg and Papas left their full-time jobs to pursue ideas for a start-up company. Historyīlue Apron was founded in 2012 by Matt Salzberg (“Salzberg”), Matthew Wadiak (“Wadiak”) and Ilia Papas (“Papas”). It also provides wine subscriptions and operates an online store. Blue Apron is a food delivery company that provides subscription meal plans and accompanying recipes to customers for a weekly fee.
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