Food tech company Odeko is dedicated to empowering small to medium-sized businesses, particularly in the quick casual dining space. The business began as a tech startup, offering a platform to simplify daily operations for its customers. When COVID-19 disrupted supply chains, the team expanded into distribution to help fill the gaps. Odeko created organic warehouses and acquired multiple distribution companies between 2020 and 2022, strengthening its presence in the industry.
Lisa Scott, Manager of Corporate Development at Odeko, brings a unique perspective: she founded Beyond the Grind, a Los Angeles-based distribution business that was acquired by Odeko in 2022. She now plays a key role in finding and integrating new acquisition opportunities to support Odeko’s continued growth.
Here, Scott discusses Odeko’s experience with Grata, including sourcing two of its five most recent acquisitions directly from the platform.
Challenges with Deal Sourcing: Personal Networks Offered Limited Scale
Initially, Odeko leaned on personal connections to its founder group and former owners of portfolio companies for new acquisition leads. This method provided warm introductions to highly relevant prospects, but it was also time-consuming and difficult to scale.
"Before Grata, we relied heavily on word of mouth and personal industry connections to identify acquisition targets. Once those resources were exhausted, we turned to Grata to effectively expand our search," Scott explains.
The need for a scalable solution became clear as Odeko looked beyond the low-hanging fruit of familiar contacts. The team needed a tool that would allow them to dig deeper and identify more new leads faster.
Grata Provides More Efficient Sourcing — With Real Results
Grata has become a core tool for Odeko’s M&A team. Its AI-powered workflows have streamlined and accelerated the team’s sourcing processes. The platform’s ability to produce detailed, targeted lists of potential candidates has been instrumental in Odeko’s growth in the last year.
"Grata is very user-friendly and allows us to efficiently sort and analyze lists, including finding lookalike companies based on specific criteria. That saves us significant time and effort," Scott says.
Most importantly, Odeko has seen real results: "Two of our acquisitions this past year were directly sourced from Grata," Scott notes.
Behind the Product: Grata’s ‘Excellent’ Customer Service
Beyond the tool itself, Odeko has had a top-tier experience with Grata’s Customer Support team. The combination of efficient functionality and personalized support has helped Odeko scale its deal sourcing with confidence.
Scott says, "Grata's customer service has been excellent, with responsive and proactive support. Their team keeps us informed about updates and ensures a smooth experience. It’s great to have someone in your corner who can really help you narrow down your focus and understand all that Grata has to offer — because it offers a lot."
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