Discussion with Soniya Ashar, Architect and CEO of NutriCal, Pioneer Food Intelligence Corporation in the UAE
In the heart of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, a food intelligence platform named NutriCal is revolutionizing the food industry. Founded by Soniya Ashar, NutriCal is a centralized solution designed to address the growing consumer demand for transparency and nutritional information in food products.
Soniya Ashar, a seasoned entrepreneur who has traversed more than 50 countries, urges women entrepreneurs to break free from constraints and not undersell themselves. Her leadership style at NutriCal is a testament to this philosophy, as she promotes work-life balance and advocates for female entrepreneurs, particularly female expat founders.
NutriCal began as a simple calorie calculator but has evolved into a robust B2B platform. It now offers a suite of services tailored to diverse food businesses, including recipe management, standard operating procedures, recipe costing, food labeling solutions, meal plan management for diet nutrition centers, and menu management tools for restaurants.
One of the key features of NutriCal is its focus on nutrition and carbon footprint analysis. In an era where health consciousness is paramount, especially post-COVID-19, NutriCal aims to provide essential information about the nutritional quality and environmental impact of food products. This commitment to health and sustainability aligns with the growing consumer focus on these issues in the GCC region.
Ashar believes that transparency about the quality of food enhances brand value. She asserts that food businesses with significant influence bear a responsibility to provide transparent information about the nutritional content of their offerings. This belief is reflected in NutriCal's services, which prioritize transparency and compliance with regulatory standards.
NutriCal's vision extends beyond the food industry. Ashar envisions the integration of NutriCal into various sectors in the GCC region, citing advancements in government initiatives, particularly in food safety, and the booming food industry in Saudi Arabia.
In addition to her work at NutriCal, Ashar is a fundraiser for Expat Woman through Sanabil KSA, a Saudi and US VC venture fund that invested in NutriCal. She also advocates for broader nutrition education, especially for children in schools, reflecting her commitment to promoting health and wellness across the region.
With its comprehensive suite of services and a focus on transparency, efficiency, and compliance, NutriCal is poised to transform the food industry in the GCC region. It is a pioneering platform that is shaping the future of food in the region with a focus on health and innovation.
- Soniya Ashar, leveraging her experience gained across numerous countries, encourages women in entrepreneurship to break free from limitations and avoid undervaluing their abilities.
- The development of NutriCal, from a basic calorie calculator to a comprehensive B2B platform, underlines Soniya Ashar's innovative approach to the food industry.
- NutriCal's services, beyond recipe management and costing, now encompass nutrition and carbon footprint analysis, reflecting the growing need for health and environmental insights in the food-and-drink sector.
- NutriCal's commitment to transparency extends to advocacy, with Ashar championing regulatory compliance and nutrition education, especially for schoolchildren, as a means to promote health and wellness across the GCC region.
- The integration of NutriCal into various sectors, particularly food safety and the burgeoning food industry in Saudi Arabia, aligns with ongoing government initiatives and marks a promising future for the platform.
- Ashar, an advocate for work-life balance, employs a leadership style that promotes this ideal at NutriCal, empowering female entrepreneurs, including female expat founders, to thrive.
- As a fundraiser for Expat Woman through Sanabil KSA, a VC fund that invested in NutriCal, Ashar demonstrates a dedication to supporting female entrepreneurs and promoting women's health in the GCC region.
- In an era where health consciousness is paramount, especially post-COVID-19, the focus on nutritional quality and environmental impact of food products is essential for consumer trust and brand value, a belief held by Soniya Ashar and reflected in NutriCal's services.
- NutriCal's forward-looking vision encompasses transforming the food industry in the GCC region with a focus on health, innovation, and sustainability, opening a new chapter for the future of food in the region.
- With its emphasis on technology and science, NutriCal's platform is a testament to entrepreneurship and innovation, bringing finance, culture, and environment together to revolutionize the food industry and contribute to the well-being of the community.
