Grant Brooke, Co-Founder Twiga Foods steps down from firm

Grant Brooke, Co-Founder, Twiga Foods has stepped down from active management of the firm he co-founded more than five years ago.

Brooke had handed over his CEO role last year and stuck around to help in that transition.

“I’ve decided to step-down from active management in Twiga as of this month, though I’ll remain on the Board of Directors going forward,” he said in a statement. “I think we’ve reached a point where my not being present won’t cause any disruption. I’m so thankful we’ve been able to do this on the best of terms.”

Launched in November 2014 , Twiga Foods has helped over 17,000 fresh food producers delivering 3 times a week on average to over 8,000 retailers. Twiga Foods’s end-to-end digital platform and logistics network links retailers with farmers and food manufacturers, presenting a convenient and reliable alternative to the current inefficient and expensive farm/factory-to-market processes. 

Recently, the firm raised $30 million to digitize food distribution in Kenya. The firm raised 23.75 million in Series B equity round led by Goldman Sachs, with participation from existing investors including the International Finance Corporation, TLcom Capital and Creadev.

The additional $6 million in debt from OPIC and Alpha Mundi. The firm using the Series B to fund its proprietary technology and logistics assets to support the roll-out of its distribution system and lay the foundations for expansion into other cities on the continent such as West Africa.

Since its launch, Twiga has been bridging gaps in food and market security through an organised platform for an efficient, fair, transparent and formal marketplace. Brooke, who has been at the forefront of the firm says “the spirit of solving big problems, not being afraid to buck the presumed way of doing things, of self-sacrificing commitment, integrity at all times, and just a deep care for one-another” saw them build the company to what it is now.

“To our suppliers, our vendors, our stakeholders, our board, and our investors, thanks for working with us — even when it was challenging — as we try to put a dent in the joint problems of Food Security and Food Safety. Twiga in so many ways is a communal effort. Even as I formally leave day-to-day at Twiga, knowing that I’m not leaving this community is of great comfort,” Brooke said.

Brooke has not revealed what his next project is but he said it was already lined-up, and he will announce it the move in March/April.

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