Posha: The Countertop Robot That Cooks For You

The Genesis of Posha: Reimagining Home Cooking

Raghav Gupta initially sought a solution to a personal challenge in 2017: accessing the familiar, home-style meals of his upbringing without the demands of cooking or the expense of takeout services or a personal chef. This pursuit ultimately led him to the field of robotics and the subsequent founding of the company, Posha.

Posha's Robotic Approach to Meal Preparation

Posha, a former participant in the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield, specializes in the creation of countertop robots capable of preparing meals utilizing computer vision technology. Users navigate a selection of recipes, choose their desired dish, and then add the necessary ingredients in the specified quantities. The machine then autonomously prepares the meal.

Customization and Flexibility in the Cooking Process

The system is engineered to be adaptable and tolerant of minor inaccuracies, as Gupta explained to TechCrunch. Substitutions are permitted, and the machine can still function effectively even if ingredient measurements aren’t perfectly precise.

A Culinary Appliance Analogy

“Posha functions much like a coffee machine, but for food,” Gupta stated. “Just as a coffee machine allows you to select a brew and add ingredients like beans, sugar, and milk, Posha operates on a similar principle, but extends this functionality to the preparation of entire meals.”

Acknowledging the Differences

While the comparison to a coffee machine is insightful, it isn’t entirely comprehensive, as Posha necessitates a greater degree of user involvement than a typical coffee maker.

The Role of the Consumer

Although Posha automates a significant portion of the cooking process, consumers still retain responsibility for ingredient shopping and initial preparation. Tasks like chopping vegetables, for instance, can represent a substantial portion of a recipe’s overall preparation time.

Targeting the Enthusiastic Home Cook

Gupta acknowledges that a solution requiring some level of cooking involvement won’t appeal to everyone. However, Posha has experienced the most success with individuals who already enjoy cooking several times a week and are seeking ways to reduce the time commitment.

Time Savings and Efficiency

“These individuals are currently dedicating approximately an hour each day to meal-related activities – planning, shopping, cooking, and cleaning,” Gupta explained. “We aim to reduce this time by at least 70%, bringing the daily commitment down to just 10 to 20 minutes.”

Evolution of the Posha Design

Originally conceived as a robotic arm, Posha underwent a significant redesign following participation in Bosch’s accelerator program, Gupta revealed. Feedback indicated that consumers preferred a device that remained stationary and was easy to maintain cleanliness.

A Customer-Centric Approach

The company has maintained close communication with its initial customer base since then. “From day one, we’ve been intensely focused on our customers,” Gupta said. “Instead of using formal support channels like Zendesk, we engage in direct WhatsApp conversations with over 100 customers. Many of them know me personally. I relocated to the U.S. during the pandemic specifically to be closer to them.” While this approach may not be scalable long-term, it has proven effective for Posha thus far.

Growth and Funding

To date, Posha has primarily relied on word-of-mouth marketing for its $1,750 direct-to-consumer countertop device. The company recently secured an $8 million Series A funding round, led by Accel, with participation from existing investors, including Xeed Ventures, Waterbridge Ventures, and Binny Bansal, co-founder of Flipkart.

Future Development Plans

The funding will be allocated towards continued product development, with a particular emphasis on expanding the recipe library and incorporating a feature that allows users to submit recipe ideas. Generative AI will then be utilized to transform these ideas into detailed instructions for the device.

Launch and Demand

Posha’s robots were initially launched in January 2025, and the first production run quickly sold out. Preorders are currently being accepted for the next batch.

A Vision for the Future

“Consider the evolution of appliances like microwaves, dishwashers, and refrigerators,” Gupta noted. “These devices initially began as countertop units before becoming integral components of modern kitchens. We envision a similar trajectory for Posha.”