Zalando invests in Sereact, a warehouse robotics specialist

The Berlin-based online fashion retailer Zalando is investing in Sereact, a provider of embodied AI solutions for warehouse robotics. The transaction brings the current round to $116 million. This additional funding is intended to accelerate the international roll-out of distribution centre automation technology.

Launched in Stuttgart in 2021, Sereact develops AI solutions for the logistics and manufacturing sectors. Its system, called Cortex, functions as a universal operating system capable of running single-arm order-picking cells, dual-arm returns-processing stations, and even humanoid robots. The next-generation Cortex 2.0 is designed to enable a shift from empirical logic to anticipatory planning: the technology evaluates potential risks and plans movements before a robot takes action.

This new funding round builds on the initial round led in April by Headline, with participation from Bullhound Capital, Daphni, Felix Capital, Air Street Capital, Creandum, and Point Nine. Zalando’s strategic investment brings the total funds raised by Sereact to over $145 million since its inception.

The deal provides the supplier with additional resources to support its existing clients, including Daimler Truck, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, MS Direct, Active Ants, DeltiLog, the Rohlik Group, and Austrian Post. The company is currently deploying more than 200 systems across Europe, with over one billion real-world production picks processed on its platform.

“We are delighted that Zalando is now a strategic investor,” said Ralf Gulde, CEO and co-founder of Sereact. “This sends a strong signal to the market that companies committed to operational excellence believe in our technologies.”

Zalando’s investment forms part of the group’s logistics ambitions. Founded in 2008 and now boasting 62 million active customers thanks to a range of 7,000 brands, the group has launched its own logistics division, Zeos, which it makes available to partner brands for warehousing and dispatch operations. These logistics centres rely heavily on automation.

“This strategic investment underlines Zalando’s commitment to supporting European technology companies,” says Masood Choudhry, Zalando’s head of logistics. “It helps to drive industrial innovation and jointly shape the standards of modern e-commerce.”

In 2025, Zalando increased its business volume by 21.7% to €4.3 billion, whilst turnover rose by 23.8% to nearly €3 billion. The company has recently scaled back its logistics network, notably closing its Erfurt facility, whilst further staff cuts are reportedly underway at its Berlin headquarters.