Sandipan Mitra, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of HungerBox, is a trailblazing entrepreneur redefining how organizations manage food and beverage operations. A pioneering entrepreneur with a visionary approach to innovation and user experience, Sandipan has led HungerBox from inception in 2016 to becoming a market-defining force in cafeteria digitalization, serving over 1.44 million users and managing 13+ million orders per month across 886 cafeterias in 38 cities. His strategic foresight and innovative approach have transformed HungerBox into the preferred partner for corporate offices, manufacturing facilities, hospitals, malls, and educational institutes, delivering seamless, digitized cafeteria experiences that prioritize user delight, operational efficiency, and compliance.
A seasoned entrepreneur with an MBA, Sandipan’s journey began with roles at Wipro and Yahoo, where he honed his expertise in technology and business operations. In 2008, he co-founded HungryZone, Southeast Asia’s first online food ordering portal, which achieved a successful exit through its acquisition by FoodPanda. This early triumph showcased his ability to identify market gaps and build scalable solutions, a skill he brought to HungerBox in 2016 alongside co-founder Uttam Kumar. Under Sandipan’s leadership, HungerBox has processed over 200 million transactions, partnered with 900+ food vendors, and raised $22.4 million from investors like Paytm, Sabre Partners, and LionRock Capital, cementing its position as a FoodTech powerhouse.
Sandipan’s vision for HungerBox is rooted in leveraging technology to solve complex F&B challenges. The platform’s comprehensive suite, powered by IoT, AI, and machine learning, offers a variety of features. From contactless ordering to AI-driven personalized recommendations, real-time analytics, ensuring transparency, and efficiency for clients and vendors alike, HungerBox has it all to offer. His strategic partnerships with high-traffic venues like AIPL Business Club, ORRIS malls, and M3M have expanded HungerBox’s footprint into diverse F&B ecosystems, while pilot projects in Southeast Asia signal its global ambitions. By eliminating cash pilferage through fully digital transactions and empowering facility managers with actionable insights, Sandipan has built a scalable, stakeholder-centric model that sets new industry benchmarks.
Recognized on Fortune India’s 2021 40 Under 40 list of India’s Brightest Young Entrepreneurs, Sandipan is celebrated not just for his business success but also for pioneering India’s FoodTech ecosystem from the ground up. A believer in impact-led growth, he also champions initiatives like inclusive hiring, sustainable food choices, and large-scale CSR campaigns. Some of his notable CSR activities like serving over 5 million free meals during the pandemic lockdown, voice accessibility for the visually impaired and special food counters run by differently-abled staff further underscore his dedication to inclusivity.
Beyond the boardroom, Sandipan is a thought leader who enjoys engaging with industry forums to share insights on FoodTech innovation. In his personal time, he unwinds by exploring new cuisines and staying active through outdoor pursuits, drawing inspiration from diverse experiences to fuel his entrepreneurial drive.
