Warehouse robotics startup Sereact has announced that Zalando has joined its ongoing Series B funding round as a strategic investor, increasing the round’s total value to US$116 million.
The Series B was initially led by Headline, with participation from Bullhound Capital, Daphni, Felix Capital and existing investors Air Street Capital, Creandum and Point Nine.
Zalando backs warehouse automation
Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, Sereact develops AI software for warehouse and manufacturing robots. Its Cortex platform powers robotic picking, returns handling, inventory management and quality inspection.
Zalando said the investment reflects its confidence in Sereact’s technology for automating fulfillment operations, particularly returns processing.
“This strategic investment underscores Zalando’s commitment to supporting European technology companies, driving industry innovation, and shaping the standards of modern e-commerce,” said Masood Choudhry, SVP Fulfilment at Zalando.
Scaling AI-powered robotics
Sereact said its robots have completed more than one billion production picks across over 200 deployed systems in Europe.
According to the company, the new funding will support development of Cortex 2.0, its next-generation robotics AI, while accelerating international expansion, including North America.
Chief Executive Officer Matthias Gulde said future robots will increasingly plan actions before moving rather than reacting after the fact, improving efficiency across warehouse operations.
Sereact’s customers include BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Daimler Truck, Ikea, Austrian Post and Rohlik Group.