Hackney Gelato
Hackney Gelato is a London-based artisan gelato and sorbetto producer, founded in 2015, supplying UK supermarkets, restaurants, and international retailers with slow-churned, chef-developed products.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hackney Gelato does
Hackney Gelato is a London-based artisan gelato producer founded in 2015 by Italian-born chefs Sam Newman and Enrico Pavoncelli, who met at Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli and trained with master gelatieri in Sicily. The company makes small-batch, slow-churned dairy gelato and plant-based sorbetto in an East London production facility at Blackhorse Lane, E17, selling in 4.5L trade tubs, 460ml retail tubs, and 100ml single-serve formats. Its product range spans roughly a dozen gelato flavours (including Blood Orange Mascarpone & Pistachio, Amarena Cherry Cheesecake, Pistachio, Madagascan Vanilla, Sea Salted Caramel) and three sorbetto flavours (Rich Chocolate, Alphonso Mango, Raspberry), with periodic limited-edition collaborations such as the May 2025 KFC Gravy Gelato.
The company operates a hybrid B2B/B2C go-to-market. The original wedge was a chef-led, restaurant-first motion supplying Michelin-starred establishments (Brat/Tomos Parry, Marcus Wareing, Pierre Koffmann, Som Saa, Smokestak) and gaining credibility before expanding into retail. Distribution now spans five major UK supermarket chains (Ocado, Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Booths), luxury retailer Harrods, hundreds of independent stockists, quick-commerce (Gopuff), foodservice wholesale (Brakes, KFF, Albion Fine Foods, Collectiv Food, Consort, Cotswold Fayre, DDC Foods, Stratford Fine Foods, Direct Wholesale, First Choice Produce), and international retail via Spinneys in the UAE. Hackney Gelato also supplies branded Tefcold freezer units and POS materials to stockists, creating a physical retail infrastructure layer around the product.
Revenue grew 30.8% year-on-year to £3.2M in the year to September 2025, with volume up 32.1%, on a team of 20 employees. The company is B Corp certified and has accumulated 82 Great Taste stars across its range. It has raised approximately £2.3M cumulatively across a 2020 Pembroke VCT round and a 2022 Crowdcube round, remains founder-owned, and is run operationally by CEO Tom Lister alongside the founders and marketing director Joe McEwan.
Hackney Gelato firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hackney Gelato
- Legal name
- Hackney Gelato
- Website
- https://hackneygelato.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Hackney Gelato is a London-based artisan gelato and sorbetto producer, founded in 2015, supplying UK supermarkets, restaurants, and international retailers with slow-churned, chef-developed products.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hackney Gelato industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Artisan Gelato
- NAICS
- Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (311520), Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (31152)
- SIC
- Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Gelato Manufacturing (AFAHAEAD)
Keywords
Where Hackney Gelato is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hackney Gelato business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Gelato and Sorbetto Product Sales: Sale of artisan gelato and sorbetto in various tub sizes (4.5L trade tubs, 460ml retail, 100ml single servings) to restaurants, retailers, and independent stockists
- Wholesale B2B Distribution: Wholesale distribution through multiple food service distributors covering restaurants, hotels, and catering operations
- Limited Edition Collaborations: One-time limited edition product collaborations such as the KFC Gravy Gelato partnership
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
Hackney Gelato product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hackney Gelato produces artisan dairy gelato and plant-based sorbetto in small batches at its East London kitchen using traditional slow-churning techniques and real ingredients. The company sells its range in 4.5L trade tubs to restaurants and foodservice operators, and in 460ml and 100ml retail tubs to consumers through major UK supermarkets, independent stockists, and quick commerce. It also develops bespoke gelato recipes in collaboration with chefs and releases limited-edition flavour collaborations.
Product overview
Hackney Gelato is a London-based gelato and sorbetto brand offering two core product lines: dairy gelato (slow churned with fresh milk and cream) and plant-based sorbetto. Products are sold in 460ml and 100ml retail tubs, as well as 4.5L trade tubs for foodservice. The portfolio includes over a dozen named gelato flavours (Blood Orange Mascarpone & Pistachio, Amarena Cherry Cheesecake, Banana Caramel & Pecan, Pistachio Almond & Lemon, Chocolate & Roasted Hazelnut, Peanut Butter & Chocolate, Pistachio, Madagascan Vanilla, Mint & Chocolate Chip, Clotted Cream & Strawberry, Sea Salted Caramel) and three sorbetto flavours (Rich Chocolate, Alphonso Mango, Raspberry). The brand also periodically releases limited-edition and collaboration products such as the KFC x Hackney Gelato Gravy Gelato. Trade support includes branded freezers (IC200SCE, IC300SCE, UF50GP, UF100GP) and point-of-sale materials (A-Board, Table Talker, Window Sticker).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Gelato Slow-churned dairy gelato made with fresh milk and cream in East London, available in 11 named flavours including Blood Orange Mascarpone & Pistachio, Amarena Cherry Cheesecake, Banana Caramel & Pecan, Pistachio Almond & Lemon, Chocolate & Roasted Hazelnut, Peanut Butter & Chocolate, Pistachio, Madagascan Vanilla, Mint & Chocolate Chip, Clotted Cream & Strawberry, and Sea Salted Caramel. Sold to restaurants in 4.5L trade tubs and to consumers in 460ml and 100ml retail tubs.
- Sorbetto Plant-based, slow-churned sorbetto made with real ingredients in an East London kitchen, available in Rich Chocolate (Belgian dark chocolate), Alphonso Mango (from India), and Raspberry (40% crushed whole raspberries) flavours. Served in the same retail and trade pack sizes as the gelato range.
- KFC x Hackney Gelato Gravy Gelato Limited-edition vegetarian savoury gelato made with a brown rice milk base and real KFC gravy, umami and herby in flavour with a rich creamy texture, sold exclusively through the KFC Shop with proceeds donated to the KFC Youth Foundation.
- 460ml Retail Tubs Retail-sized 460ml gelato and sorbetto tubs designed for at-home enjoyment, available across the full gelato and sorbetto flavour range and stocked by UK supermarkets and independent retailers.
- 100ml Retail Tubs Single-serve 100ml gelato and sorbetto tubs with a wooden spoon under the lid, designed for on-the-go consumption and available in a selection of gelato and sorbetto flavours at retail.
- 4.5L Trade Tubs Large 4.5-litre tubs of gelato and sorbetto for foodservice operators to serve by the scoop in restaurants, delis, hotels, and catering operations, distributed through wholesale partners such as Brakes, KFF, and Albion Fine Foods.
Quantifiable outcome
- 82 Great Taste Stars earned across product range
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Hackney Gelato
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hackney Gelato technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Hackney Gelato partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- KFC UKflagshipLimited-edition Gravy Gelato collaboration launched in KFC UK restaurants, featuring a unique savory gelato made with KFC gravy. The product was available for a limited time as a special menu item, generating significant media attention and brand awareness for Hackney Gelato.
- Albion Fine FoodscoreWholesale distributor supplying restaurant and foodservice customers with Hackney Gelato products
- Collectiv FoodcoreWholesale distributor covering restaurant and foodservice channels
- Consort Frozen FoodscoreWholesale distributor covering restaurant and foodservice channels
- Cotswold FayrecoreWholesale distributor for artisan and fine food products
- DDC FoodscoreWholesale distributor covering restaurant and foodservice channels
- Stratford Fine FoodscoreWholesale distributor covering restaurant and foodservice channels
- Direct Wholesale FoodscoreWholesale distributor covering restaurant and foodservice channels
- First Choice ProducecoreWholesale distributor covering restaurant and foodservice channels
- KFFcoreMajor foodservice wholesale distributor covering restaurant and catering channels
- BrakescoreMajor foodservice wholesale distributor covering restaurant and catering channels across the UK
- KFC Youth FoundationminorCharitable partnership where proceeds from KFC Gravy Gelato collaboration supported the KFC Youth Foundation
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hackney Gelato competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Badiani: Florentine-origin Italian gelato brand with UK shops and retail distribution, producing premium slow-churned gelato for both scoop service and packaged retail. Closely comparable to Hackney Gelato in product craft, channel mix (trade + retail), and target premium consumer.
- Gelupo: London-based artisan gelateria and retail gelato brand founded by Italian chef Jacob Kenedy, producing traditional Italian-style gelato and sorbetto for restaurants, retail, and direct-to-consumer. Direct peer given shared London base, Italian craft heritage, and premium positioning.
- Jude's: UK premium ice cream and sorbet brand distributed through major supermarkets including Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Ocado. Comparable in national UK supermarket presence, premium positioning, and use of real ingredients, though broader flavour portfolio.
- Oddono's: UK Italian gelato chain and retail brand producing authentic gelato for both scoop service in stores and packaged retail tubs. Direct peer in gelato craft, channel mix (scoop + retail), and UK premium consumer positioning.
- Northern Bloc: UK premium ice cream maker producing small-batch, real-ingredient ice cream distributed through UK supermarkets and foodservice. Comparable scale, premium positioning, clean-label ethos, and B2B-plus-retail channel strategy.
- Booja-Booja: UK organic, dairy-free ice cream brand sold through premium UK retailers including Waitrose and Ocado. Comparable premium positioning, plant-based credentials, and supermarket distribution model.
- La Gelatiera: London-based artisan gelato and ice cream brand supplying restaurants and retail with traditional Italian-style product. Direct peer in craft, London base, and chef-driven brand identity.
Emerging players
- Oppo Brothers: UK better-for-you ice cream brand focused on reduced-sugar, protein-enriched formulations distributed through major UK retailers. Comparable scale and supermarket presence but differentiated by better-for-you positioning rather than chef craftsmanship.
Broad incumbents
- Ben & Jerry's: Global premium ice cream brand owned by Unilever with deep UK supermarket distribution and values-led positioning (B Corp equivalent). Comparable premium consumer and supermarket presence but at vastly larger scale and with broader portfolio.
- Häagen-Dazs: Iconic global premium ice cream brand with established UK supermarket and foodservice presence, including scoop service in restaurants. Comparable premium positioning and trade + retail channel mix, but at significantly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hackney Gelato social profiles
Digital presenceHackney Gelato compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Hackney Gelato financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hackney Gelato leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Hackney Gelato funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hackney Gelato M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hackney Gelato
What does Hackney Gelato do?
Hackney Gelato produces artisan dairy gelato and plant-based sorbetto in small batches at its East London kitchen using traditional slow-churning techniques and real ingredients. The company sells its range in 4.5L trade tubs to restaurants and foodservice operators, and in 460ml and 100ml retail tubs to consumers through major UK supermarkets, independent stockists, and quick commerce. It also develops bespoke gelato recipes in collaboration with chefs and releases limited-edition flavour collaborations.
Is Hackney Gelato a public or private company?
Hackney Gelato is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Hackney Gelato founded?
Hackney Gelato was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Hackney Gelato based?
Hackney Gelato is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Hackney Gelato make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Gelato and Sorbetto Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are wholesale B2B Distribution and limited Edition Collaborations.
Who are Hackney Gelato's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Badiani, Gelupo, Jude's, Oddono's, Northern Bloc, Booja-Booja and La Gelatiera. Oppo Brothers is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Ben & Jerry's and Häagen-Dazs.
Does Hackney Gelato have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hackney Gelato.
What industry is Hackney Gelato in?
Hackney Gelato's product category is Artisan Gelato. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAHAEAD, Gelato Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 311520 and its SIC code is 2024.