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§ Private Profile · London, United Kingdom
Robotics startup developing automated food preparation and service tools for quick-service restaurants, focused on kitchen efficiency.
Karakuri was a London-based startup that developed robotic tools for food preparation and service in quick-service restaurants, aiming to enhance kitchen efficiency. The company secured £13.5 million in funding from investors, notably Ocado Ventures, which held a 26% stake, and Founders Factory, with a 21% stake. Its product portfolio included a robotic arm designed for personalized sushi and an automated chip fryer, the latter of which was trialed by customer Nando’s. Employing approximately 30 individuals, Karakuri entered administration and ceased operations in 2023 after failing to secure additional funding to sustain its development. Its remaining assets, including three prototypes and intellectual property, were subsequently sold for £350,000 to Henny Penny. Founded around 2018 by Barney Wragg. Its business model centers on raised venture funding from investors including Ocado Ventures and Founders Factory to develop and deploy robotics products.
Karakuri has raised $26.4M across 3 funding rounds.
Karakuri has raised $26.4M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Karakuri was a UK-based food‑robotics company that designed intelligent robotic kitchen systems (meal‑assembly robots and automated fry lines) for quick‑service and commercial kitchens; it launched from Founders Factory in 2018, raised venture capital (including an Ocado minority stake), but entered administration and ceased operations in mid‑2023[3][4][1].
High‑Level Overview
Origin Story
Core Differentiators
Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
Quick Take & Future Outlook
Quick final tie‑back: Karakuri’s trajectory — rapid productization and strategic investor interest followed by capital shortfalls and administration — illustrates both the compelling business case for kitchen automation and the heavy capital, manufacturing and go‑to‑market demands required to scale physical robotics businesses in food service[3][4][1].
Karakuri has raised $26.4M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Karakuri's investors include Firstminute Capital, Hoxton Ventures, Ocado, Taylor Brothers, The Future Fund, Lerer Hippeau, NextGen Venture Partners, Rianta Capital, Tim Steiner, Brent Hoberman.
Karakuri has raised $26.4M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $8.4M Other Equity in December 2020.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2, 2020 | $8.4M Venture Round | Firstminute Capital | Hoxton Ventures, Ocado, Taylor Brothers, The Future Fund | Announced |
| Dec 1, 2020 | $9M Series U | — | Hoxton Ventures, Lerer Hippeau, NextGen Venture Partners, Rianta Capital | Announced |
| May 1, 2019 | $9M Seed | TIM Steiner | Hoxton Ventures, Lerer Hippeau, NextGen Venture Partners, Rianta Capital, Brent Hoberman, Taylor Brothers | Announced |