Draft:Exotec
 | |
| Company type | Société par actions simplifiée |
|---|---|
| Industry | Robotics, Logistics |
| Founded | 2015 |
Key people | Renaud Heitz, Romain Moulin |
| Revenue | €288.36 million (2024) |
| Website | www.exotec.com |
Exotec [eɡ.zo.tɛk] (formerly Exotec Solutions) is a French startup company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Croix, Hauts-de-France. The company develops robotics and software-based systems to optimize order picking and logistics processes for sectors such as wholesale, industry, and e-commerce.
History
[edit]Exotec was founded in June 2015[1] by Renaud Heitz and Romain Moulin[2], both former employees of BA Systèmes[3]. That same year, the company raised €340,000 from business angels[2].
Exotec developed an automated order-picking system consisting of a fleet of Skypod robots. These robots are equipped with rotating scanners for autonomous navigation. Using embedded software and a server named Fleet Control, the robots work in coordinated groups[3]. The system primarily targets e-commerce in sectors such as culture, fashion, food, and retail, enabling store replenishment without on-site inventory. It reduces employee walking time and increases picking efficiency[2].
In December 2016, Exotec announced a second funding round of €3.3 million[2].
One of the first customers was Cdiscount, which implemented the Skypod system in Bordeaux in 2017[4]. For this project, Exotec and Cdiscount received the "David with Goliath" award in 2018[5].
In June 2018, Exotec raised €15 million[6] and moved production to Croix[7].
By 2019, Exotec had formed partnerships with AHS and Uniqlo[8][9].
In 2020, the company raised $90 million[10][11] and was included in the Next40 index in 2021[12]. In January 2022, following a $335 million funding round, Exotec became France’s 25th unicorn[13].
Financials
[edit]Funding rounds
[edit]| Round | Amount | Investors |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | €1.6 million | 360 Capital |
| Series A | €3.3 million | 360 Capital, Breega |
| Series B | $17.7 million | 360 Capital, Breega, Iris Capital |
| Series C | $90.0 million | Dell Technologies Capital, Breega, Iris Capital, 83North |
| Series D | $335.0 million | Goldman Sachs, Bpifrance, Large Venture, 83North |
Annual revenue
[edit]Based on public data, Exotec's global revenues were as follows:[14][15]
- 2022: €157 million
- 2023: €285 million
- 2024: €288 million
Global Presence
[edit]As of May 2025, Exotec operates in 6 countries and has installed over 135[16] systems in more than 12[17] countries.
Offices and Demo Centers
[edit]- France – Lille (HQ)[18]
- Germany – Munich (Demo Center + Office)[19]
- USA – Atlanta (Demo Center + Office)[20]
- Japan – Tokyo (Demo Center + Office)[21]
- South Korea – Seoul (Demo Center + Office)[22]
- Austria – Graz (Office)[23]
- France – Lyon (R&D Lab)[24]
Europe – Key Clients
[edit]- France – Renault[25]
- Netherlands – Ceva Logistics[26]
- Poland – ILS European Logistics[27]
- Italy – OdPlus[28]
- Spain – PCComponentes[29]
- Switzerland – Dosenbach-Ochsner[30]
North America – Key Clients
[edit]- USA (Kentucky) – Gap Inc.[31]
- USA (Michigan) – Lane Automotive[32]
- Canada (Montreal) – Decathlon[33]
APAC – Key Clients
[edit]Branding
[edit]Logos
[edit]-
Logo 2017–2019 -
Logo 2019–2022 -
Logo since 2022
Since 2017, the logo features custom-designed typography.
References
[edit]- ^ https://www.societe.com/societe/exotec-812878742.html
- ^ a b c d Logistics: Exotec, portrait of a 100% French robot, L'Usine Digitale, December 1, 2016
- ^ a b These six startup robots attract retailers – here's why, L'Usine Digitale, May 12, 2017
- ^ Cdiscount adopts futuristic French robotics, L'Usine Digitale, December 7, 2017
- ^ David with Goliath Award, L'Usine Digitale, November 8, 2018
- ^ Exotec raises €15 million, L'Usine Digitale, June 12, 2018
- ^ Exotec expands, Les Echos, August 28, 2018
- ^ Partnerships with AHS and Uniqlo, Les Echos Business, September 17, 2019
- ^ Uniqlo chooses French robotics, L'Usine Nouvelle, November 13, 2019
- ^ Exotec raises $90 million, L'Usine Digitale, September 29, 2020
- ^ Lille-based robots raise $90M, Le Figaro, September 29, 2020
- ^ Second edition of FT120 and Next40 welcomes 30 newcomers, L'Usine Digitale, February 8, 2021
- ^ https://www.lesechos.fr/start-up/deals/robotique-exotec-devient-la-25e-licorne-de-la-french-tech-1379526
- ^ "Exotec Company Summary". Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Legal information of EXOTEC". Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Exotec surpasses 1 million daily deliveries". Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "How Exotec's robots are transforming warehouses". Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Exotec headquarters". Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Exotec in Munich". Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Atlanta headquarters expanded". Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Tokyo demo center". Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Seoul showroom". Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Exotec opens office in Austria". Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "New R&D lab in Lyon". Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Renault automates with Exotec". Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Sustainable logistics in the Netherlands". Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Skypod at ILS Poland". Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Advanced goods-to-person system". Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "PCComponentes logistics". Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Dosenbach aims high with Exotec". Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Gap adopts Skypod". Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Lane Automotive installs Exotec". Retrieved 2025-06-26.
- ^ "Decathlon Canada adopts Skypod". Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Alps introduces Skypod in Aichi". Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Exotec and Japan's workforce challenges". Retrieved 2025-06-25.