Zalando invests in Berlin-based warehouse robotics provider Sereact as part of Series B round
Berlin-based Sereact, a provider of physical AI for warehouse robotics, has added Zalando as an investor in its ongoing Series B, which now stands at $116 million. It lines up alongside lead investor Headline as well as Bullhound Capital, Daphni, Felix Capital, Air Street Capital, Creandum and Point Nine.
The startup has now raised over $145 million to date.
Over 200 Sereact systems are currently in use across Europe, including at Mercedes Trucks and BOL. The capital will go toward Cortex 2.0, the next-generation of Sereact's robot brain, as well as international expansion, particularly into the US.
Cortex acts as a universal AI operating system that can run across multiple hardware forms - from single arm picking cells and dual-arm returns stations to humanoid robots. According to a press release, the upcoming Cortex 2.0 model “shifts robotic automation from a "try and see" to a "plan and try" approach by using a learned world model to anticipate physical outcomes, score potential trajectories for risk and efficiency, and plan movements before the robot even acts”.
“We're delighted that Zalando is now a strategic investor. That's a strong signal to the market: companies that focus on operational excellence believe in our technologies,” says Dr. Ralf Gulde, CEO and Co-Founder, Sereact.
“Zalando's investment confirms that the foundation we're building Cortex on - real production data from live deployments - is the right path,” says Marc Tuscher, CTO and Co-Founder, Sereact.
“This strategic investment underscores our commitment to supporting European technology companies, driving industry innovation, and shaping the standards of modern e-commerce,” says Masood Choudhry, SVP Fulfilment, Zalando.
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Automation will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
