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David Rabie
Founder & CEO at Tovala
David Rabie is the Co-Founder and CEO of Tovala, a company that combines a smart oven with a fresh meal delivery service to streamline home cooking. He is recognized for his innovative approach to making mealtime effortless, offering a rotating menu of chef-crafted meals that cook in 20 minutes or less using a wifi-connected smart oven.13
Background and Education
David Rabie holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he focused on entrepreneurship, strategy, and marketing. He also studied at the London School of Economics and UC Santa Barbara, where he earned a BA in History.24 His early career included roles at Veggie Grill and Groovy Spoon, as well as experience at Google and Foundation Capital, which helped shape his entrepreneurial journey.134
Tovala's Journey
Rabie co-founded Tovala in 2017 after winning the New Venture Challenge at the University of Chicago. The company quickly gained traction, raising over $100 million in funding from notable investors such as Comcast Ventures and Pritzker Group. Tovala's unique business model integrates hardware, software, and food, allowing users to prepare meals simply by scanning a barcode.135
Personal Insights
Describing himself as a "self-professed food nut," Rabie's passion for food and technology drives his commitment to improving cooking efficiency. He emphasizes the importance of building a strong organizational culture and has faced challenges such as fundraising and market skepticism, particularly during the pandemic.135 Rabie is also involved in mentoring other entrepreneurs and has been recognized as a high-growth entrepreneur by Endeavor, which supports scaling businesses.35
Through Tovala, Rabie aims to revolutionize the cooking experience, making healthy meals accessible and convenient for busy individuals and families.35
