Jahir Khan

German robotics company Sereact has announced the successful completion of a €25 million Series A funding round. The Stuttgart-based company, founded in 2021 by Ralf Gulde (CEO) and Marc Tuscher (CTO), specializes in AI-powered robotics solutions that cater to a wide range of industries and applications. With major customers in the US and Europe, Sereact is making significant strides in enhancing robotic capabilities for automation and efficiency.

Sereact’s technology integrates advanced artificial intelligence to provide robots with general-purpose visual and manipulation abilities. This allows robots to perceive their surroundings and develop intelligent strategies to perform various physical tasks. The company’s standout feature is its zero-shot visual reasoning, enabling robots to handle tasks they have not been explicitly trained for. Additionally, its natural language interface, called PickGPT, allows non-technical users to interact with and deploy the robots with ease. This innovation enables customers to set up Sereact’s systems within a single day, delivering immediate operational benefits and cost savings.

Sereact’s robotic systems excel in both precision and adaptability, ranging from the handling of individual objects to addressing complex logistics and manufacturing challenges. By analyzing and responding to unfamiliar situations in real-time, the systems enable anomaly detection, process optimization, and a new standard of flexibility for autonomous operations. CEO and co-founder Ralf Gulde emphasized the unique capabilities of their technology, stating, “With our technology, robots act situationally rather than following rigidly programmed sequences. They adapt to dynamic tasks in real-time, enabling an unprecedented level of autonomy.”

Among its clientele are notable companies such as BMW, Daimler Truck, Bol, and Active Ants. Sereact’s systems benefit from real-world deployment, creating a data feedback loop that enhances their performance over time. This real-time data collection allows the systems to evolve and improve beyond the capabilities of those relying primarily on synthetic data.

The €25 million funding round was led by Creandum, with participation from existing investors Point Nine and Air Street Capital. The round also saw contributions from prominent business angels, including former Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg, Mehdi Ghissassi (formerly of Google DeepMind), Ott Kaukver (Skype), Lars Nordwall (formerly of Neo4j), Torsten Reil, and Niklas Köhler (both from Helsing).

Johan Brenner, General Partner at Creandum, highlighted Sereact’s distinct approach, stating, “What sets Sereact apart is its software-first, foundational approach, which means it has the potential to become the brain of any robot that requires vision and autonomous capabilities. The opportunities here are endless, and it’s great to see this kind of innovation coming from Europe.”

The newly secured funding will support Sereact in further developing its AI capabilities, enhancing its software, and scaling its operations. By focusing on software innovation, Sereact is poised to redefine the role of robotics across industries, offering a flexible and efficient solution for complex automation needs. The funding round underscores the confidence of investors in Sereact’s vision and its potential to lead advancements in robotics and AI-driven automation.

Ecoplanet, a provider of energy management software, has successfully closed a €16 million Series A funding round. The round was led by EQT Ventures, with continued support from HV Capital and a group of angel investors. This investment will be used to accelerate the company’s market expansion and enhance its technological capabilities, particularly in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize energy management processes.

Ecoplanet’s software addresses the challenges faced by businesses in the evolving European energy landscape, where rising energy costs and increased price volatility have become significant operational concerns. The platform manages 2 TWh of energy across more than 2,000 locations, providing businesses with tools to streamline energy management processes. By integrating supply- and demand-side processes, the AI-based platform optimizes energy usage, reduces costs, and ensures regulatory compliance.

The funding will allow Ecoplanet to expand its AI capabilities further, focusing on individual machine-level energy optimization as well as broader energy market integration. According to the company, this approach will help businesses align energy consumption with availability, enabling them to take advantage of green electricity at optimal times.

Co-founder Maximilian Dekorsy highlighted the importance of Ecoplanet’s mission in addressing the challenges posed by rising energy costs. “Our €16 million Series A round marks a significant milestone,” Dekorsy stated. “Rising and increasingly volatile energy costs have become a critical threat to European businesses, with the potential to drive many out of business if left unaddressed. Our software empowers companies to cut energy expenses, turn challenges into growth opportunities, and secure their long-term survival.”

Dr. Henry Keppler, also a co-founder, emphasized the role of integrated energy management in the transition to renewable energy sources. “Energy markets are undergoing a paradigm shift. With renewables already exceeding 50% of electricity generation, a fully integrated energy management is essential,” Keppler explained. “Just as households charge EVs when solar output is high, businesses must align energy use with availability. As the share of renewables grows further, ecoplanet enables customers to benefit from green electricity at optimal times, pioneering AI-powered software for smarter business operations in Germany and beyond.”

Ecoplanet’s platform reduces the manual effort involved in energy management while helping businesses navigate complex regulatory requirements. Its ability to integrate and optimize energy processes positions it as a valuable tool for companies seeking to mitigate the financial and operational risks associated with energy price volatility.

The investment from EQT Ventures and HV Capital underscores confidence in Ecoplanet’s ability to address critical energy challenges and capitalize on opportunities in the energy management sector. As renewable energy continues to play a larger role in the energy mix, the company’s solutions are expected to play a pivotal role in helping businesses adapt to this evolving landscape.

Ecoplanet’s advancements in AI-driven energy management aim to provide businesses with the tools they need to thrive in a dynamic and increasingly green energy environment, ensuring cost-efficiency and long-term sustainability. This funding round represents a significant step forward in achieving that mission.