Blue Apron gets a half billion dollar valuation in a $50 million round

Blue Apron, the meal delivery company that sends customers precisely the ingredients they need plus a recipe, has negotiated a $500 million valuation, according to Fortune. Stripes Group led the round, with Bessemer Venture Parners and First Round Capital returning to increase their investments.

While their model nearly eliminates inventory problems, scaling food business becomes complicated:

However, as Blue Apron expands, the company has learned that one size doesn’t fit all. There are gluten and nut allergies, lactose-intolerance, vegans and diet trends like paleo and carb-free to consider. Until recently, Blue Apron offered just two choices: vegetarian, or a meat-eater box with a red meat, a light meat and a seafood meal. Now it has kosher and pescetarian options, too.

[Fortune]