Superday Series: Bento

Aselyaa8
Gousto Engineering & Data
4 min readNov 27, 2023

The final post in our Superday Series is about Gousto Bento. Assel covers their first Superday presentation and also gives an overview of how Bento started and what the team does.

WHO: Meet Bento team!

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am Assel, a software engineer at Bento and a proud member of the Gousto Tech Talent Academy (GTTA) program at Gousto. Buckle up, because today, we’re diving into the exciting world of Bento and I am here to walk you though what Bento shared on their first ever Superday!

Gousto Tech Talent Academy (GTTA) is a yearly cohort of graduates and career changers who join the company as Junior Engineers

WHO: Presenters on Superday: Ricardo, Dal and Mitch

What is Bento?

Now, for those of you scratching your heads wondering if Bento is just another fancy lunchbox brand, let me assure you, it’s not.

In 2021, Gousto founded Bento. Bento is a B2B SaaS company, focussed on licencing the tried and tested subscription technology

That’s why, in 2021, Gousto founded Bento — an arm dedicated to the licensing of cutting edge technologies. Bento have launched with their subscription first technology, focussed on:

  • Bento Box — Subscription eCommerce platform
  • Bento Wasabi — Subscription-first AI modules

The Bento technology offering is suitable for all subscription-first/ subscription-also eCommerce businesses who have ambitions to scale their subscription offerings and would like agility to flex.

How did it start?

So, Bento is the subscription platform with AI modules for subscription businesses. How did it start? Picture this: Two and a half years ago, Timo handed a blank sheet of paper to Mitch and Ricardo, kickstarting what they affectionately call the “Mitch and Ricardo Roadshow.”. Their mission? Uncover the hidden treasures within Gousto’s technology that could revolutionise the world.

Timo: Is there an business opportunity licensing Gousto’s software to 3rd parties?

During their epic quest, they met with all sorts of businesses, and sparked the vision of what Bento is here to achieve — To become the most loved way to sell subscriptions. To remind you, Gousto’s vision is — To become the most loved way to eat dinner in the UK.

Why is Bento here?

Now, let’s dive into the details. Ricardo, aka the “money man,” spilled the beans on WHY Bento exists. It’s simple, really — they’re here to turbocharge Gousto’s revenue, profit, and overall awesomeness. The perks were as clear as day — lower development costs, leveraging a trusted brand name, international expansion opportunities, a larger addressable market, higher margins (software vs food)

What sets Bento apart is its commitment to providing solutions for the challenges subscription-based businesses face. They introduced two core products: the Bento Box, an eCommerce platform tailored specifically for subscription businesses, and Wasabi, an AI-driven solution designed to enhance data science capabilities.

Mitch, the director of Product and Tech, delved into the delicious details and talked about the WHAT. The Bento Box streamlines subscription business operations, handling everything from orders and billing to promotions and customisation. It offers seamless integration with various systems to create a comprehensive solution.

Now, Wasabi is where things get spicy. It predicts churn, activates customers, and even figures out your taste preferences — all without needing a crystal ball or a clairvoyant. This AI-driven tech empowers businesses to make data-informed decisions without the need for extensive in-house data science teams.

Bento operates on three core principles: innovating features to cater to different subscription models, re-architecting for scalability, and offering white-glove service to early clients. Their goal is not merely to provide software but to be true tech partners in their clients’ success.

But what makes Bento’s journey even more exciting is its deep connection with Gousto. They’re like tech siblings working together on high-stakes projects, such as migrating payment providers. Bento is actively contributing to Gousto’s tech ecosystem, addressing long-standing challenges. Gousto’s shared learnings, expertise and support have been the wind beneath Bento’s wings, moving them forward with confidence.

Conclusion

Bento is on a mission to transform the subscription-based service industry. They are armed with innovation, dedication, and the solid foundation of Gousto’s technology. In the near future, not being a part of Bento’s ecosystem may indeed seem like a missed opportunity. We eagerly anticipate their growth and the positive impact they’ll bring to the world of subscriptions.

You must be interested to find more! Here are some links to know more about Bento:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/bento-tech

https://www.gousto-bento.com/about-us

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