Börshuset, 2025-02-07
Umno: digital platform for collaboration and growth in the food service industry
Hi Malin! Tell us about Umno, who are you?
We are a diverse but experienced team with skills in digital product development, branding, marketing, leadership and innovation. Something that permeates the entire company is our seriousness, playfulness and the human power to create change. Together we are developing Unmo – a digital platform and social network that connects people in the food service industry.
How was Unmo founded?
We started as an innovation project within Duni Group, with the aim of exploring how to support the restaurant industry with sustainable solutions and development. The insights and feedback that emerged from that then founded Unmo. We heard stories about the difficulties of recruiting and retaining good people, but also about the lack of a common place to meet and lean on. There are plenty of staffing agencies and new gig businesses, but we saw that there is a lack of a platform that wants to make the industry visible, that wants to create opportunities for individuals and companies to grow and that also thinks both long-term and sustainable. We launched our first web app in March 2023 and today we have over 5,000 users and almost 400 restaurants and bars in the community. Our goal is to grow to 20 000 users and 2000 businesses in the coming year.
What does your 2025 look like?
We are releasing our mobile app in March and with it we will link our product in a natural and more user-friendly way. With this, we will increase the pace towards taking the entire Swedish market and then also start moving beyond Sweden’s borders. The vision is to create the world’s largest network for the Food Service industry and with it also lift the industry as a whole.
How did you find A house Börshuset?
We were at a restaurant industry event here in Slaktis in November 2023 and exclaimed with hope in our voices that “if we open an office in Stockholm, we will definitely be sitting here!”. Cut to five months later when we signed our office space at Börshuset.
What is the best thing about being here?
To have your own space in such a characteristic and welcoming office building, with everything you need and incredible service minded staff. Since everyone in the team is spread out across the city, the proximity to the metro and parking outside the building is also a big plus. We are looking forward to more companies in the industry moving here with the investment in the area as a Stockholm meatpacking district. As we said, we like networking!
Where to find you on an AW?
It will be at Solen, outside or inside depending on the season, an absolutely fantastic place!
What is your best food tip in the area?
Lunch is either at Korv-Olle (who doesn’t love sausages?) or at Chinese Peony.
What is the talk of the town right now?
Besides our own app, there’s a lot of chatter about lack of communication in dating apps (there’s ONE single person on the team), the search for new miracle powders for eternal youth, white background walls, failing methods in child rearing and when will we be able to hire our own private chefs to avoid everyday cooking?
What is the best thing about the Stockholm restaurant industry?
That change is happening and has happened. Since #metoo, women have been given more space and have indeed done so. The industry has a lot to learn but is constantly changing and seems to want to modernize. Just in line with our values and the desire for the industry as a whole.
What restaurant trends are we seeing this year?
More restaurants are opening outside the tolls and neighborhood restaurants with their own niche are popping up, where the focus is often on hyperlocal ingredients. In addition, a lot of concepts seem to be built around drinks – that is, the food is shaped by the drink, and not the other way around. We also think we are seeing a return from the previously trendy entrees to a sparse classic a la carte among newly opened restaurants, possibly as a result of a dissatisfied customer base that is tired of entrees.
Reveal one of your favorite places in Stockholm?
There are so many! For a fantastically exclusive but relaxed evening, we recommend Restaurant Triton, where guests are served a set menu with fantastic wines. We also love the newly opened Muscadet, where the focus is on oysters and Muscadet (dry white wine), perfect to start or end a lovely evening.
Do you have a suggestion for a “Tuesday Lunch Chef” for Börshuset – a chef/restaurant that comes and cooks lunch for our members?
Would like to recommend Marion Ringborg, fantastic catering chef with an eye for the creative and beautiful in cooking.