Foodforecast
Category: AI in Analytics & BI
AI-driven demand forecasting and production planning platform for ultra-fresh food supply chains, specifically designed for products with shelf lives of hours to a single day (baked goods, sandwiches, ready-to-eat meals). Foodforecast was founded in 2018. The company is led by Justus Lauten. Based in Cologne, Germany. Team size: 36. Total funding raised: €11.0M. Latest round: Series A (€8.0M, Feb 2026). Key investors include SHIFT Invest, ECBF, Future Food Fund, Aeronaut Invest, Scalehouse Capital, Collateral Good.
- Founded
- 2018
- Headquarters
- Cologne, Germany
- Team size
- 36
- Total funding
- €11.0M
Value proposition
Reduces food waste by up to 34% while improving product availability by 15% and increasing turnover by up to 11%. Automates order and production planning with intra-day AI forecasts (>90% of manual processes), relieving staff workload and optimizing resource efficiency. Delivers strong ROI through precise demand forecasting that prevents both overproduction and stockouts.
Products and solutions
In-Store Autopilot (Production Planning), Order Optimization Module, Workforce Planning Tools, Analytics Dashboard
Unique value
Proprietary AI specifically trained on ultra-fresh food categories with shelf lives measured in hours rather than days or weeks. Unlike general demand forecasting tools, Foodforecast's algorithms are optimized for the unique challenges of same-day production and consumption cycles. The system provides intra-day forecasts updated multiple times daily, enabling precise just-in-time production rather than next-day planning. Integrates diverse data sources including historical sales, weather patterns, holidays, local events, and seasonal fluctuations to generate highly accurate predictions.
Target customer
Bakeries, supermarkets/retail food chains, and system gastronomy/food service providers handling ultra-fresh, perishable products.
Industries served
FoodTech, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Food Retail & Supermarkets, Bakery Industry, System Gastronomy & Food Service, Supply Chain Management
Technology advantage
Machine learning algorithms that continuously improve through exposure to client data, requiring only historical sales data to begin generating accurate forecasts. Immediate deployment capability with 4-8 week implementation timeline. Seamless integration with existing POS and inventory management systems. Automated workflows reduce staff workload. Demonstrated 90% reduction in out-of-stock items and proven track record of preventing 8,826+ tons of food waste.
How they differentiate
Foodforecast specializes exclusively in ultra-fresh food categories with shelf lives of hours to one day (baked goods, sandwiches, ready-to-eat meals), providing intra-day AI forecasts updated multiple times daily. Unlike competitors focused on broader fresh produce or kitchen waste tracking, Foodforecast's algorithms are specifically trained for same-day production and consumption cycles in bakeries, supermarkets, and system gastronomy.
Main competitors
Winnow (AI food waste prevention for hospitality), Afresh (AI demand forecasting for grocery retail), RELEX Solutions (Retail demand planning platform)
Key partnerships
SSP Germany, Eat Happy, Feinbäckerei Ruch GmbH, Scalehouse Capital, Future Food Fund II, Blue Horizon Ventures, Aeronaut Invest, Collateral Good
Notable customers
SSP Germany, Eat Happy, Feinbäckerei Ruch GmbH, Kamps, dean&david, Bäckerei Merzenich, beets & roots
Major milestones
Founded in 2018 with commercial launch in 2022, Seed funding of €3M+ raised in September 2024 led by Scalehouse Capital and Future Food Fund II, Series A funding of €8M raised in February 2026 with support from InvestEU Fund, Listed in European AgriFoodTech Top 50, Prevented over 8,800 tons of food waste and 10.2M kg CO2 emissions to date, Technology deployed in 5,000+ locations across DE/AT/CH/NL, UK market launch May 2026 with dedicated UK team led by Greg Nixon
Growth metrics
Deployed in 5,000+ locations across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands (UK expansion underway); up to 34% food waste reduction; up to 11% sales increase; 15% improved product availability; 8,800+ tons of food waste prevented; 10.2M kg CO2 emissions avoided; >90% automation of manual ordering/production
Market positioning
European specialist in AI-driven demand forecasting for ultra-fresh, short-shelf-life food products, targeting multi-site food operators in bakery, food retail, and food service sectors.
Geographic focus
Europe (DE, AT, CH, NL; UK expansion from May 2026)
Patents and IP
No registered patents or published patent applications found in public databases as of February 2026.
About Justus Lauten
Serial entrepreneur with a background in computer science from RWTH Aachen University. Co-founded car-sharing platform tamyca (later MOQO) at age 22, which operated from 2010-2018. Expertise in AI, machine learning, supply chain optimization, and sustainability in the food industry.
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Official website: https://foodforecast.com