Bokksu, founded by Danny Taing out of Columbia Startup Lab, is an authentic Japanese snack subscription venture that will take you on a gourmet journey through Japan every month. From Hokkaido white chocolate butter cookies to Kyoto handground matcha, Bokksu is the only subscription box that sources its products directly from producers in Japan so their artisanal snacks and teas cannot be found anywhere else.
When he first joined the Lab in 2015, he had a co-founder and was working on totally different ideas. After pivoting several times and losing the co-founder along the way, Danny started this idea of a Japanese snack subscription company.
“One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to understand the food culture of any country is through its snacks. Bokksu, a monthly subscription box, delivers the gourmet flavors of Japan straight from centuries-old Japanese snack companies and makers to food lovers all over the world. You won’t find these curated treats at your local supermarket. By buying from Bokksu, you’re not only indulging your craving and curiosity for creative snacks, but also supporting traditional family businesses in Japan.” – Business Insider, February 14th 2019
Bootstrapping his company Bokksu up bit by bit, he went from 1 team member and 40 subscribers to 15 team members worldwide and $3MM revenue in just 3 years. The venture recently closed its first fundraising round of $1,000,000.