In a fast-paced world where professionals are constantly on the move, maintaining a healthy diet can often take a back seat to busy schedules and demanding workloads. For Omolara Olarerin, this challenge was all too familiar — and it became the spark that ignited a groundbreaking innovation in food technology.
Omolara is the founder of PocketFood, an AI-powered food tech startup transforming how individuals and organizations manage meals. With a background in Soil Science from the Federal University of Agriculture and a Master’s degree in International Business from the University of Hertfordshire, Omolara’s journey into entrepreneurship is a blend of science, business, and technology. Her experience in data and product management has shaped her vision to simplify healthy living through intelligent systems and partnerships.
The Birth of PocketFood
When asked by Just4WomenAfrica what inspired her to start PocketFood, Omolara shared that it was born out of personal frustration.
“I used to work in the corporate industry in the Ikeja area, and there were not many food vendors nearby,” she explained. “I often struggled with lunch — skipping meals, eating junk food, or snacking just to get through the day. To eat properly, I either had to cook and bring food from home or order online, which wasn’t always convenient. I realized I wasn’t alone in this — so many of my colleagues faced the same problem. That’s how PocketFood was born.”
Her goal was clear — to create a seamless, tech-driven system that connects busy professionals and organizations with quality meals efficiently and affordably.
How PocketFood Works
PocketFood operates as a corporate meal management system, not just a regular food delivery platform. Through the PocketFood app, employees receive notifications of meal options from vetted kitchens nearby, ensuring access to healthy, delicious, and affordable meals without leaving the workplace.
The platform keeps track of orders, spending, preferences, and delivery logistics in real time, helping companies streamline meal management while increasing productivity and employee satisfaction.
“Think of PocketFood as a corporate food operating system,” Omolara said. “We’re helping organizations boost productivity and morale by using food as an incentive. Our goal is to make it easy for people to eat well while they work.”
Data, Feedback, and Scale
Having delivered over 70,000 meals to date, Omolara and her team have learned valuable lessons about operating at scale.
“There are three key things we’ve learned — data analysis, feedback, and logistics,” she said. “We constantly listen to our clients through surveys and questionnaires. If something isn’t working, we fix it in real time using data insights. Feedback helps us evolve and improve continuously.”
AI: The Invisible Operations Manager
Artificial Intelligence sits at the heart of PocketFood’s success. Omolara describes AI as their “invisible operations manager.”
“AI helps us predict demand, analyze order history, and recommend meal options. It also evaluates vendor performance to determine who to onboard or offboard. Essentially, AI allows us to be proactive, efficient, and data-driven in our decisions.”
This technological backbone ensures that PocketFood remains agile, adaptive, and customer-focused — a key differentiator in the growing African food tech space.
Partnerships Built on Transparency and Growth
PocketFood’s success relies heavily on strong partnerships with food vendors, logistics providers, and corporate clients.
“Transparency and shared growth are at the core of how we operate,” Omolara explained. “We demand quality from our vendors — and in return, we give them opportunities to grow with us. Today, we deliver over 5,000 meals weekly, and that’s only possible because of the trust and collaboration we’ve built.”
Corporate Adoption and the Post-COVID Shift
The response from corporate organizations has been overwhelmingly positive. Omolara notes that since the pandemic, companies have embraced more flexible, hybrid work cultures, which has driven demand for tech-driven meal solutions.
“Post-COVID, there’s been a major shift in workplace culture,” she said. “Companies now see food not just as a perk but as part of employee wellbeing and retention strategies. PocketFood fits perfectly into that ecosystem.”
Promoting Nigerian Cuisine Globally
When asked whether food tech platforms like hers could promote Nigerian and African dishes globally, Omolara smiled.
“Definitely,” she said. “Our data shows that Nigerian foods are gaining popularity worldwide. From the UK to the US, people are ordering more Nigerian dishes than ever before. Platforms like ours can help push African cuisine into the global mainstream.”
Navigating Challenges as a Female Founder in Tech
As a female founder in technology, Omolara has faced her share of challenges — particularly around access and perception.
“Sometimes you walk into a boardroom and people expect the CEO to be someone else,” she admitted. “When they realize it’s a woman, they’re often surprised. But society is evolving. More Black women are building incredible things in tech, and that’s inspiring.”
Her advice to other women in tech? “You can’t do everything alone. Build a strong team, seek mentorship, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
The Future of PocketFood
Looking ahead, Omolara envisions PocketFood becoming the default way professionals eat at work across Africa.
“In the next 3–5 years, we want to deepen our AI capabilities and expand into more African cities — from Lagos to Accra to Nairobi,” she said. “Our goal is to make PocketFood the standard for how working Africans eat — smart, simple, and satisfying.”
Conclusion
Through innovation, empathy, and technology, Omolara Olarerin is redefining how Africans think about food and workplace wellness. Her journey from a frustrated professional to a visionary founder highlights the power of turning personal pain points into scalable solutions.
With PocketFood, she’s proving that the future of food is not just about convenience — it’s about creating systems that nourish both people and productivity.
