MooBella, the developer of a technology that can make hard-scoop ice cream in just 40 seconds, has raised $9 million from Inventages Venture Capital.
MooBella does far more than the average vending machine. Consumers can make up to 96 varieties of ice cream in just three steps. Using a touch screen, customers first choose between premium and low-fat ice cream, followed by a choice of 12 flavors like coffee and cake batter and three mix-ins including chocolate chips. The machine, which is about as large as a household refrigerator, then delivers a freshly made scoop of ice cream.
Based in Massachusetts, MooBella currently has 45 machines installed throughout New England, including at Massachusetts' Logan International Airport and New Hampshire's Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. The company plans to use the latest funding to expand to more colleges, museums and restaurants in the Northeast.
MooBella previously raised $25 million in 2007 and $18 million in 2009, both from Inventages. The Switzerland-based firm focuses on industries in the life sciences, including food innovation.