The startup drive through grocer JackBe, which is planning to launch its first three concept stores in 2023 in the Oklahoma City area, is seeking funding in an ongoing Wefunder campaign that the company said has so far generated more than $330,000. Separately, more than $7 million has been raised privately. Wefunder is a crowdfunding service which connects startups with investors.
Under the JackBe system, customers place an order via a mobile app and then drive to the nearest location to have fresh, handpicked groceries delivered to their car in minutes. The initial rollout is set for January in Edmond.
“We are incredibly excited to not only open our first store but to share with others the opportunity to be in on the ground floor of what we believe to be the future of grocery shopping,” Alex Ruhter, one of four JackBe co-founders, said in a statement. “We have taken this company from concept to build out, and we could not have done it without the belief and encouragement of others, and for that, we are forever humbled.”
The venture has been underway for three years and the company said the initial response to investing in JackBe is “inspiring,” with each round of funding more successful than the previous.
“To the time-challenged shopper needing a simpler way to grocery shop, JackBe is your curbside drive-thru grocer who fills your order and delivers it to your vehicle when you want, with no substitutions,” Ruhter said. “We have created the grocery store experience that we wished existed but didn't, until now.”
The company added that a major focus will be on contributing to, and supporting, the local community. This will look like partnerships with local suppliers, as well as collaborations with nonprofit staffing organizations.
JackBe said in April that it had secured $3.75 million in seed funding in an investment led by Oklahoma-based RCC Ventures with participation from Purpose Equity, which matches businesses with investment opportunities.
“I am thankful for the support of our investors because the concept behind JackBe is a game-changer,” Ruhter said in a statement at that time.
