Allegations of fraud have surfaced against a Vancouver entrepreneur as his once-promising startup officially enters bankruptcy proceedings. Drew Munro, the founder of the meal preparation and delivery company UpMeals, is now at the center of a potential criminal investigation following the company's financial collapse.
From Startup Promise to Bankruptcy and Allegations
The situation for UpMeals, a Vancouver-based company that aimed to revolutionize convenient, healthy eating, has deteriorated rapidly. The company, which operated a network of smart fridges for grab-and-go meals, has now been forced into bankruptcy. The most serious development, however, involves its founder, Drew Munro. He is now confronting direct accusations of fraud related to the company's operations and finances.
These allegations are severe enough that they have triggered the possibility of a formal criminal investigation. The details of the alleged fraud have not been fully disclosed publicly, but they are connected to the circumstances leading to the startup's insolvency. The bankruptcy marks a dramatic fall for a business that had positioned itself as an innovative player in Vancouver's competitive food-tech scene.
A Timeline of Collapse
The news of the bankruptcy and the fraud allegations became public on December 15, 2025. The report, published through The Local Journalism Initiative, outlined the serious claims against Munro. While UpMeals had shown initial promise by securing partnerships and launching its high-tech vending solutions, financial troubles ultimately proved insurmountable.
The path to bankruptcy often involves mounting debts, unpaid suppliers, and failed attempts to secure new funding. In this case, the process has been compounded by the fraud accusations, which add a layer of legal complexity and potential misconduct to the business failure. Creditors and investors are now left to assess their losses amid the looming prospect of a criminal probe.
Broader Implications for Vancouver's Tech Scene
The downfall of UpMeals serves as a cautionary tale within British Columbia's startup ecosystem. While Vancouver has cultivated a reputation for successful innovation, this case highlights the risks inherent in high-growth ventures, especially when paired with serious allegations of wrongdoing.
The focus now shifts to the legal outcomes. A criminal investigation, if pursued, would seek to determine whether Munro's actions crossed from poor business judgment into illegal activity. The bankruptcy trustee will simultaneously work to liquidate any remaining company assets to pay back creditors.
For employees, customers, and partners of UpMeals, the bankruptcy brings immediate practical and financial consequences. The fraud allegations ensure that this will not be a quiet dissolution but a case scrutinized for potential legal breaches, casting a shadow over the local entrepreneurial community.
