ICUBE UTM startup Inwit creates waste-free catering in Toronto

Mo Tahvili has managed to juggle a marketing business that he started in 2016, and his studies as a computer science specialist student at University of Toronto Mississauga. 

But while pursuing his studies and making time to lead a business is already quite impressive, he says it’s been “nothing glamourous.”

“I’ve always had an interest in doing something that has a good cause and will benefit the future — whether it is sustainability, or diversity and equity,” says Tahvili, who will receive his honours bachelor of science degree this spring.

That’s why when he met the co-founders of Inwit — a Toronto startup that is dedicated to offering waste-free takeout — he felt like he finally found what he was looking for.

“This was a perfect opportunity for me to get myself into this industry, and into the sustainability effort,” Tahvili says. “I feel good about what I’m doing as an entrepreneur.”

With his startup experience and technical expertise, Tahvili is now the chief technology officer and co-founder of Inwit, a company that currently partners with 16 Toronto restaurants to offer takeout meals in reusable stainless steel containers. Inwit offers a sustainable catering option, where corporate customers can order in advance for a work meeting or event. Through the Inwit web app, users can also order on-demand waste-free takeout from these restaurants, which will package their takeout in Inwit’s reusable containers.

When customers return their containers within seven days, they receive “impact points.” These points are rewards that can be used as discounts at Inwit’s participating restaurants. For example, once someone has earned 40,000 points, they can receive $10 off their next order.

“(At Inwit), we inspire people to take climate action on the issue of single-use plastics and waste in the takeout industry,” says Erika Reyes, the company’s co-founder.

Reyes was inspired to start the business after seeing high single-use plastics usage in the food industry, and wanted to do something that would help combat climate change — especially when it came to food packaging.

Reyes recruited business partner Clément Bureau during Inwit’s pilot phase.

To complete their team, Reyes and Bureau were looking for a technical person to help improve the company’s online platform. They also wanted this person to share their values and passion for making the takeout industry waste-free. That’s when they connected with Tahvili near the end of 2021, when Inwit joined ICUBE’s Venture Forward program.

“I was a work study (at ICUBE) working mainly as a tech person . . . and in some scenarios, helping with coding, marketing or any branding that startups need,” Tahvili says.

When they made the connection, the UTM student was excited to get involved in a startup that he felt passionate about.

“We all have the same mission. In the end, it’s the same cause we’re all fighting for,” Tahvili says.

As the company’s chief technology officer and co-founder, Tahvili will join Reyes and Bureau as they pitch on March 9 at the Desjardin pitch competition. The Desjardins Startup Prize is University of Toronto Entrepreneurship’s annual business pitch competition. It awards $100,000 in prizes to recognize, reward, and accelerate the university’s most innovative startups.

The event takes place during U of T Entrepreneurship Week, running March 6-9, which showcases, celebrates and rewards innovation and startup activity at the university.

“We have heard a lot of positive feedback on our practice rounds before, so I’m excited,” says Tahvili. “I’m also going to see a lot of familiar faces from working at ICUBE, and I’m excited to show them the pitch.”