Zest Raises $1.8 Million To Build AI-Powered Restaurant Discovery Platform

Innovative Approach To Restaurant Discovery

Restaurant discovery startup Zest is using transaction data and artificial intelligence to generate dining recommendations based on users’ actual spending habits rather than reviews or saved wishlists. Founded in November 2024, the company aims to help users discover restaurants through verified dining activity and personalized recommendations.

Strategic Funding And Early Adoption

Founded in November 2024, Zest has rapidly captured market attention with $1.8 million in pre‐seed funding from notable investors, including Alexis Ohanian via 776 and Steve Jang at Kindred Ventures. The platform, which has been in beta since inception, expanded its user base steadily from a circle of friends and family to a broader audience, garnering over 100,000 visits in a matter of weeks post-launch.

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Data-Driven Personalization In Action

Unlike other apps that simply compile dining wishlists, Zest’s distinctive advantage lies in its reliance on verifiable transaction data. By linking a user’s credit card to the platform, Zest imports verified dining transactions to create a personalized map of favorite eateries. This transparent method extends beyond curated posts, instead offering recommendations based on the frequency and monetary investment users commit to their chosen spots.

Leveraging Trusted Financial Partnerships

Zest integrates data through Plaid, a leading financial services provider trusted by major banks and fintech innovators. This partnership ensures that only dining-related transactions are extracted, improving the accuracy of its personalized mapping while preserving user privacy and data integrity.

Curating The Authentic Dining Experience

Co-founder Mario Gomez-Hall emphasizes the platform’s focus on genuine dining experiences over ostentatious social sharing. “It’s about uncovering your regular spots, the dependable ‘hole in the wall’ you love, not just the high-end, Michelin-rated restaurants,” he explains. With the combined technical expertise of co-founder Alex Moller, whose background includes Apple and other tech giants, Zest is poised to set a new standard in authentic dining exploration.

Expanding The Culinary Landscape

Alongside transaction-based recommendations, Zest analyses more than 80 million reviews from multiple sources, including Michelin and Reddit. The startup is also introducing new features that allow users to save personal notes about restaurants and share recommendations. A new “Fresh Picks” feature will highlight recently discovered restaurants in a format similar to Spotify’s Discovery Weekly.

Beyond Restaurants: A Vision For Urban Exploration

The company plans to expand beyond restaurant recommendations and explore additional categories of local experiences, including shopping and nightlife. According to Gomez-Hall, the long-term goal is to build a broader discovery platform focused on helping users navigate cities through personalized recommendations.

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Eurobank Launches First UPI Cross-Border Payment From Greece To India

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 10, 2026

Eurobank has launched its first cross-border payment from Greece to India through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), marking a new step in the bank’s international expansion and its strategy to strengthen financial ties between Europe and India.

The transaction, completed in cooperation with NPCI International, follows the launch of Eurobank’s new payment service. The inaugural payment was made in the presence of India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Eurobank Chief Executive Fokion Karavias and senior executives from NPCI International.

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A Strategic Bet On India’s Digital Payments Ecosystem

According to Eleftherios Vlachogiannis, Eurobank’s head of transaction banking, the service currently supports outgoing payments by Indian citizens living in Greece to recipients in India, representing the first phase of a broader collaboration with NPCI International.

UPI is operated by NPCI International. By integrating the system into its e-banking platform and mobile app, Eurobank enables customers to make real-time transfers.

“The most important aspect is the philosophy behind the initiative,” Vlachogiannis said. “Instead of creating another closed payment system, we are integrating mature and internationally recognised payment ecosystems into the bank’s services so customers enjoy a simple, secure and modern transaction experience.”

He added: “Innovation creates value when it delivers a genuine benefit for the customer.”

Building A Financial Bridge Between Europe And India

The UPI launch follows Eurobank’s opening of a representative office in Mumbai, making it the first Greek and Cypriot bank with a physical presence in India. The bank has also expanded its presence through the India-Greece-Cyprus Business and Investment Council, a technology centre in Pune and partnerships with Indian institutions.

Vlachogiannis said India’s economic growth and closer ties with the European Union support the bank’s long-term strategy. He also pointed to progress in negotiations on the EU-India Free Trade Agreement.

Mumbai Office Serves As A Regional Business Hub

Eurobank’s Mumbai office supports businesses seeking to establish operations between India, Greece, Cyprus and the wider European market. It provides access to banking services, business networks and market support.

For Greek companies expanding into India, the bank offers international payments, foreign exchange management, trade finance and supply chain finance. Indian businesses investing in Greece, Cyprus or elsewhere in the European Union can also access financing and corporate banking services through Eurobank.

Aiming To Strengthen The India-Europe Corridor

Looking ahead, Eurobank said it will continue investing in technology, international payments, trade finance and partnerships with Indian organisations.

“Our ambition is to act not only as a banking services provider but also as a strategic partner for businesses and investors seeking to benefit from the opportunities created by this dynamic market,” Vlachogiannis said.

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