Karlsruhe-based startup Nesto has secured €11 million in growth equity funding from Expedition Growth Capital to accelerate product development and expand across Europe.
Founded in 2017, Nesto provides an AI-driven workforce management platform tailored for the hospitality sector. Its software automates key operational processes, including staff scheduling, HR workflows, and payroll preparation—helping restaurant operators streamline day-to-day management.
The platform is designed to address one of the industry’s biggest challenges: labour costs, which represent the largest controllable expense for most hospitality businesses. Many operators still rely on disconnected systems and manual processes, creating inefficiencies and limiting profitability.
From Forecasting To Execution In One System
At the core of Nesto’s platform is a proprietary AI forecasting engine that predicts demand and staffing needs in real time. By integrating data from POS systems, suppliers, and payroll providers, the platform connects forecasting with execution.
This enables businesses to:
- Improve labour productivity by up to 10%
- Automate scheduling and workforce planning
- Simplify HR and payroll processes
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Scaling AI Capabilities And Market Reach
With the new funding, Nesto plans to further enhance its AI capabilities and strengthen its data infrastructure. A key focus will be the continued development of NORA, the company’s AI assistant and agent framework designed to support operational and administrative workflows.
The company also aims to accelerate its expansion into additional European markets.
Strong Adoption Across The Industry
Nesto is already deployed in more than 3,000 restaurants, supporting over 100,000 employees on a daily basis. Its customer base ranges from independent operators to large international chains, including McDonald’s, L’Osteria, and Lagardère Travel Retail.
Notably, the company achieved this scale without institutional funding until now, underscoring strong product-market fit and demand within the hospitality sector.
Co-founder and Executive Chairperson Dr Theodor Ackbarow highlighted the company’s mission to simplify operational complexity for restaurant operators, while CEO Felix Kaiser emphasised the growing role of AI in addressing rising labour costs, staff shortages, and operational challenges.
About Nesto
Nesto is a Germany-based AI workforce management platform built for the hospitality industry. By combining demand forecasting, workforce planning, and operational execution, the company helps businesses optimise staffing, reduce costs, and improve overall performance.
