Amit Raj

Amit Raj is a prominent entrepreneur and the co-founder of EatClub Brands, formerly known as Box8 (Poncho Hospitality Private Limited), a cloud kitchen and food delivery startup based in Mumbai, India. He co-founded Box8 in 2012 alongside Anshul Gupta, both of whom are graduates from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, where Raj earned his BTech in Aerospace Engineering.

Professional Background

Before establishing Box8, Amit Raj gained valuable experience in the finance and analytics sectors. He worked as a Senior Analyst at Deutsche Bank from December 2009 to May 2011 and as a Business Analyst at Mu Sigma from August 2008 to December 2009. His roles involved structuring business problems and providing analytical insights to clients, which equipped him with skills beneficial for running a startup.

Box8 and EatClub Brands

Under Raj's leadership, Box8 has evolved from a single outlet in a corporate cafeteria to a significant player in the Indian food tech industry, focusing on delivering Indian cuisine through its cloud kitchen model. The company emphasizes controlling its entire value chain, from food preparation to delivery, which differentiates it from traditional quick-service restaurants (QSRs) that rely on third-party delivery services. As of recent reports, Box8 is expanding its operations into additional cities across India following successful funding rounds, including a notable $40 million raised in December 2021.13

Education and Skills

Amit Raj is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 2 pass candidate, showcasing his strong financial acumen alongside his technical background in aerospace engineering. His dual expertise in technology and finance has been instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of Box8.

Raj has expressed a focus on sustainable growth and customer loyalty within the cloud kitchen space, aiming for high repeat customer rates and disciplined expansion strategies.124