Slovakian-founded startup Brightpick, which offers AI-powered robots to automate warehouse order fulfillment, has raised $12 million in an equity and venture debt fundraising round. With support from EBRD Venture Capital and several business angels, the new funding will help Brightpick expand its presence in the US.
- Founded in 2021 by Jan Zizka, Michal Maly, and Tomas Kovacovsky as a spin-off of Photoneo, Brightpick develops AI-powered robots that automate key warehouse tasks such as order picking, consolidation, and dispatch.
- Brightpick’s flagship product, the Autopicker, is the world’s first mobile robot that picks and consolidates orders directly in warehouse aisles. Unlike traditional systems that require robots to travel to centralized picking stations, the Autopicker operates directly in the aisles, enabling faster, more efficient order fulfillment with higher throughput.
"Since launching Brightpick Autopicker early last year, we’ve experienced tremendous interest from new customers. Our unique technology offers greater cost savings than any other solution, which resonates strongly with customers. Our focus has always been on scaling in the United States, where we are now seeing the most traction," explains, Jan Zizka, CEO and co-founder of Brightpick.
- The robot uses advanced 3D vision and AI to accurately recognize, pick, and consolidate items, reducing the need for manual labor and cutting operational costs by up to 98%.
- The company has a team of 200 employees and serves prominent clients, including Rohlik Group, Dr. Max, and The Feed. Its mission is to streamline supply chain operations with advanced robotic solutions, making warehouses more efficient and cost-effective.
Details of the deal
- The round was backed by EBRD's Venture Capital Investment Programme, which supports early-stage tech companies and aims to attract venture capital to regions with limited funding.
“We are excited to support Brightpick as they continue to revolutionise warehouse automation with their innovative technology. We are confident that their rapid growth in the United States will further strengthen their leading position," Associate Director at EBRD Venture Capital, Bruno Lusic, commented.
- The investment also includes participation from existing investors Pavel Baudiš and Eduard Kučera, Miroslav Trnka, and Juraj Duriš.
- The fresh capital raised will support Brightpick's research and development activities, as well as its sales and expansion efforts across the United States.
