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Fresco

Category: AI Infrastructure

An AI-powered smart kitchen operating system (KitchenOS) that enables cross-brand appliance connectivity and personalized cooking experiences through an AI cooking companion Fresco was founded in 2012. The company is led by Ben Harris. Based in Dublin, Ireland. Team size: 51-200. Total funding raised: $52.9M. Latest round: Series C (€15.0M, December 2025). Key investors include ["Instant Brands","Vorwerk","Alpha Edison","Morpheus Ventures","Samuel Dennigan","Barry Napier","Tyler Hu"].

Founded
2012
Headquarters
Dublin, Ireland
Team size
51-200
Total funding
$52.9M

Value proposition

Provides the only neutral, cross-brand smart kitchen platform that reduces smart appliance development costs by 75% while delivering personalized AI-driven cooking experiences across multiple appliance brands through a single unified interface

Products and solutions

["KitchenOS - Cross-brand smart kitchen operating system","AI Cooking Companion - Personalized sous chef with real-time guidance","Universal Appliance Firmware - Enables multi-brand device control","Smart Recipe Engine - Converts recipes into machine-readable format for appliance control","Consumer Marketing Platform - Engagement and analytics tools for brands"]

Unique value

Only neutral cross-brand platform that connects appliances from different manufacturers into one unified ecosystem, with universal firmware that enables onboarding in days rather than months

Target customer

Major appliance manufacturers (B2B) including Bosch, Electrolux, GE Appliances, Panasonic, Instant Brands, LG Electronics, Kenwood, and Thermomix

Industries served

["Smart Kitchen Appliances","IoT and Connected Devices","Consumer Electronics","Food Technology","Home Automation"]

Technology advantage

Patented capability model that converts any standard recipe into smart appliance instructions, combined with universal firmware and UI that works across multiple brands and device types

How they differentiate

Neutral cross-brand KitchenOS platform that provides guided cooking experiences rather than commerce-focused solutions, partnering directly with appliance OEMs as an embedded technology provider

Main competitors

["SideChef","Innit","ChefSteps"]

Key partnerships

["Instant Brands (Instant Pot) - Launch partner for KitchenOS","Panasonic - Expanded partnership for AI-powered cooking assistant starting with HomeCHEF 4-in-1 multi-oven","Bosch, Electrolux, GE Appliances, LG Electronics, Kenwood, Thermomix - Global appliance brand partners","E.G.O. and Arda - New OEM partnerships for component manufacturing"]

Notable customers

["Instant Brands (Instant Pot)","Vorwerk (Thermomix)","Bosch","Electrolux","GE Appliances","Kenwood","LG Electronics","Panasonic"]

Major milestones

["2020: Series A €11.85M led by Alpha Edison","2022: Rebranded from Drop to Fresco","2022: Series B $20M led by appliance OEMs Instant Brands and Vorwerk","2025: Series C €15M to accelerate AI-driven cooking experiences"]

Growth metrics

Plans to double workforce from 50 to 100+ employees; targets global smart kitchen appliances market projected to reach $60B by 2030

Market positioning

Leading neutral smart kitchen platform positioned as the 'KitchenOS' - connecting appliances, recipes, and home cooks across multiple brands

Geographic focus

Global operations with headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and office in Zaragoza, Spain; partners with major appliance brands worldwide for North America, Europe, and Asia markets

Patents and IP

Secured US patent for KitchenOS platform and AI Recipe Engine technology that converts recipes into machine-readable format for direct appliance control (additional patents pending)

About Ben Harris

Co-founder and CEO of Fresco since 2012, leading the company's evolution from a hardware product (Drop smart kitchen scale) to a comprehensive AI-powered smart kitchen platform (KitchenOS). Industrial designer with background in product design and digital innovation, previously founded White Zebra Studios digital design studio.

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