Orbisk, a Dutch scaleup committed to reducing food waste using AI technology, has secured over €8 million in an oversubscribed Series A venture capital investment. The new partner, Regeneration VC, led the round and was co-led by the existing partner, PeakBridge. Other investors are new partner Kost Capital, early investors DOEN Participaties and Brabant Development Agency (BOM), and EIT Food’s AgriFoodInvest. The funds raised from Series A will be used to develop AI technology further, drive operational innovation, enhance customer integrations, and strengthen the global team.
Tackling the global food waste problem
Minimizing food waste is essential in combating climate change, given that one-third of the world’s food production goes unused and ultimately discarded. By combating food waste, CO2 emissions can be reduced, and opportunities arise to optimize water and land use. Additionally, it can significantly improve the profit margins of food service enterprises, sometimes even doubling them. Through more efficient kitchen processes, these businesses can lower costs by purchasing more effectively and optimizing their staffing.
Since 2019, Orbisk has been on a mission to create a more sustainable food system. Its AI food waste monitor, Orbi, enables foodservice operators such as hotels, catering services, cruise ships, and restaurants to reduce food waste through process optimization. The Orbi supports optimizing professional kitchen processes and improving food efficiency by registering food waste and identifying the operational causes of waste. The collected data is presented in a dashboard, which offers actionable advice for process optimizations.
“Nobody likes waste, and food waste is no exception,” says Martijn Lopes Cardozo, Partner at Regeneration VC. “With 20% of global food waste in hospitality, this is a large environmental and economic opportunity, and as a result, Orbisk is growing rapidly powered by their best-in-class solution. Our global team is excited about scaling this important technology in the USA and introducing Orbisk to corporate customers in our network.”
International expansion
Orbisk already operates in over 40 countries worldwide, assisting chefs on five continents to optimize their kitchen processes. Further geographical expansion is anticipated. “The Series A investment fuels Orbisk’s ambitious growth plans,” says CEO and co-founder Olaf van der Veen. “This financial boost allows us to accelerate the impact we strive for, as food waste regrettably transcends borders. By enhancing our presence in the USA and eventually expanding into Asia, we can greatly increase the amount of food saved.”
Orbisk’s impressive track record at F&A Next
Orbisk has an impressive track record at F&A Next. In 2022, Orbisk was among our 12 Next Heroes in Food and Agtech. These startups’ solutions address new sources of proteins, valorize sidestreams, support healthy diets, and more. They exemplify the creativity and ingenuity that have global investors eager to place their bets on the agrifood tech sector at large.
Last year, Orbisk won our Feike Sijbesma Sustainable Innovation Award. The award is named in honor of Feike Sijbesma (former DSM CEO), renowned for making a significant impact with sustainable innovations as a global corporate leader. As one of our ‘Next Heroes in Food & Agtech 2025,’ you automatically enter the Feike Sijbesma Sustainable Innovation Award 2025 competition. Two winners stand a chance to win €12,500.
Participating in the Next Heroes in Food & Agtech awards is an excellent opportunity because our audience comprises top-notch key stakeholders, including investors, corporates, and the media. Registration for this year’s Next Heroes in Food and Agtech will open on January 6th.
