French foodtech startup Kikleo, which uses AI to reduce food waste in professional kitchens, has raised €3.5 million to accelerate its expansion across France, Europe, and the United States.
The round was led by Newfund, with participation from Bpifrance, existing shareholders, and advisory support from Avelana. The funding follows Kikleo’s 2023 raise from Avelana, Good Only Ventures, and Jean Dussaix, which helped validate the company’s scalability in France.
Tackling food waste with AI-powered insights
Founded in 2019 by Martin d’Agay and Vincent Garcia, and joined in 2023 by industry veteran Jean Dussaix, Kikleo develops technology that helps restaurants and caterers measure and reduce food waste.
Using AI and computer vision, Kikleo’s system analyzes kitchen data — including food preparation and leftovers — to provide actionable insights on waste reduction. By turning raw data into operational recommendations, restaurants can optimise menu planning, portioning, and stock management while maintaining food quality.
To date, the company has scanned over 5 million trays, creating what it calls “the most comprehensive dataset on food waste in France.” This data allows Kikleo to identify waste trends by diner profile, restaurant type, region, and season — insights that contribute directly to France’s national efforts to cut waste in partnership with ADEME, the French ecological transition agency.
“This data is unique in France and provides an unprecedented understanding of food waste,” said Vincent Garcia, co-founder of Kikleo. “Our algorithms continuously improve, allowing restaurants to take precise, effective action. We’re proud to contribute to advancing national knowledge on food waste.”
Advertisement
Scaling impact beyond France
With the new funding, the company will expand its AI-driven platform and strengthen its field operations teams to provide hands-on support for partner restaurants. The company also plans to extend its presence into new European markets and the U.S., with a focus on large catering chains and foodservice providers.
“We now have the ambition to multiply our impact, and to do so, we must aim big and far,” said Vincent Garcia. “Newfund’s expertise and international reach make them the perfect partner to help us accelerate our mission across France, Europe, and the U.S.”
Marjolaine Catil, Investment Director at Newfund, praised Kikleo’s combination of technology and tangible results:
“AI takes on its full meaning when it transforms real-world challenges. Kikleo exemplifies that — using technology to tackle one of the catering industry’s biggest inefficiencies while delivering measurable impact and immediate gains to teams.”
A data-driven approach to sustainability
Food waste contributes nearly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, costing the restaurant industry over €130 billion annually. The EU has set a target to reduce food waste by 30% by 2030, while France aims for a 50% reduction.
Kikleo’s technology helps restaurants align with these goals. Its platform combines AI-powered cameras with a digital analytics dashboard to measure financial losses, calculate CO₂ emissions, and recommend corrective actions.
The company’s impact so far is tangible:
- 240 tons of food waste prevented (equivalent to 400,000 meals)
- €2 million in total savings generated for clients
- 1,000 tons of CO₂ emissions avoided
- 800 million litres of water conserved
On average, Kikleo customers reduce waste by 20% in the first year and up to 65% over time, saving approximately €50,000 per site annually.
About Kikleo
Founded in 2019 and based in Paris, Kikleo uses AI and data analytics to help restaurants and caterers measure, understand, and reduce food waste. Its system tracks food preparation and plate returns to generate insights that improve sustainability and profitability.
Kikleo is backed by Newfund, Bpifrance, Avelana, Good Only Ventures, and Angels, and is expanding its reach across Europe and the U.S.
