Miso Robotics
[Closed for Investment] Miso Robotics is raising funds through Reg A+ crowdfunding with Dealmaker Securities as the Broker-Dealer. The company has developed an AI-enabled robot that functions as a kitchen assistant. Flippy, the robotic chef, cooks food along with other chefs in commercial kitchens and makes the process more efficient and consistent. The company has also designed Flippy 2 Wings as the robotic chicken wing frying solution, Flippy Lite, Sippy, CookRight, and CookRight Coffee. Buck Jordan, Ryan Sinnet, Rob Anderson, and John Miller founded Miso Robotics in 2016. The current crowdfunding campaign has a maximum target of $25.4 million. The campaign proceeds will be used for product development, payroll, marketing, and general and administrative expenses.
Investment Overview
Raised: $20,952,198
Deal Terms
Company & Team
Company
- Year Founded
- 2016
- Industry
- Industrial Services
- Tech Sector
- Distribution Model
- B2B
- Margin
- Low
- Capital Intensity
- High
Financials
- Revenue +81% YoY
- $492,570
- Monthly Burn
- $2,037,693
-
Runway
- 3.4 months
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Synopsis
Miso Robotics is revolutionizing the food service industry with advanced AI-enabled robotic solutions to enhance kitchen operations. The company's flagship product, Flippy, is a robotic chef that works alongside human cooks in commercial kitchens to prepare food with precision and consistency. This innovative technology not only streamlines the cooking process but also ensures a high level of food quality and safety. Miso Robotics has expanded its product line to include specialized solutions such as Flippy 2 Wings, a robotic chicken wing frying solution, Flippy Lite, Sippy, CookRight, and CookRight Coffee, each addressing specific needs within the food preparation process.
Since its founding in 2016, Miso Robotics has made significant strides in the food robotics market. The company has successfully deployed its technology in high-profile venues, including LA Dodgers Stadium, Arizona Diamondbacks Chase Field, and select CaliBurger locations, demonstrating the versatility and appeal of its robotic assistants in various culinary settings. With 12 patents pending and one awarded Miso Robotics is at the forefront of innovation in the rapidly growing field of food robotics.
Having raised $98 million in prior funding rounds (per Crunchbase) and with the backing of notable investors such as Ecolab, Meyer Global Management, Pitbull Ventures, Crowdcube, SeedInvest, Levy Restaurants, MAG Ventures, and Acacia Research, Miso Robotics is well-positioned for growth. The company's current Reg A+ crowdfunding campaign, with a maximum target of $25.4 million, aims to fuel further its product development, payroll, marketing, and general administrative efforts. With a pre-money valuation of $266,023,737, Miso Robotics is set to significantly impact the food service industry, offering innovative solutions that enrich lives and empower restaurants.
Price
Miso Robotics is currently engaged in a Reg A+ crowdfunding campaign with a pre-money valuation of approximately $266 million, offering shares at $4.97 each. This valuation is notably high, especially considering the company's reported annual revenue of $492,570, yielding a revenue multiple of 540x. Such a multiple is extraordinarily high, even for the robotics sector, which tends to demand higher valuations, indicating that the current valuation significantly outpaces its present financial performance.
For investors considering participation in this funding round, it's crucial to weigh the high valuation against the company’s current financials and the inherent risks of investing in a high-growth, pre-profit company. The path to justifying the current valuation requires significant market penetration and revenue growth. Given the high capital intensity of developing and deploying robotic systems and the long sales cycles typically involved in B2B transactions, achieving profitability may take time.
To provide a 10X return to investors, Miso Robotics would need to reach a post-exit valuation of approximately $2.66 billion (not accounting for dilution). This ambitious goal necessitates widespread adoption of the company's robotic solutions across the food service industry domestically and internationally. While the potential for automation in commercial kitchens presents a substantial market opportunity, realizing such a valuation will require Miso Robotics to scale its operations successfully, continue innovating its product offerings, and navigate the competitive landscape of the food robotics sector.
Market
The U.S. Food Robotics market, where Miso Robotics operates, is a dynamic and evolving landscape with a current valuation of approximately $4.01 billion, and it is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12%. This market comprises various segments, including robotic chefs, automated cooking solutions, and other AI-enabled kitchen assistants designed to improve efficiency and consistency in commercial kitchens. Miso Robotics, with its flagship AI-enabled robot "Flippy" and its extensions like Flippy 2 Wings, Flippy Lite, Sippy, CookRight, and CookRight Coffee, positions itself as a pioneering force in this burgeoning sector.
Miso Robotics' unique value proposition lies in its ability to enhance kitchen operations by supplementing the human workforce with robotic solutions that ensure consistent food quality while potentially reducing operational costs. The company’s innovative approach, which includes 12 patents pending and one awarded, has established Flippy as a recognized name with over 10 billion organic media impressions. This recognition is further supplemented by Flippy's deployment in high-profile venues such as the LA Dodgers Stadium, Arizona Diamondbacks Chase Field, and three CaliBurger locations.
Despite the high market potential and growth prospects, Miso Robotics faces a moderately competitive landscape with key players like Nala Robotics, Hyphen, Lab2Fab, and Picnic. These competitors represent diverse automated kitchen solutions, from complete robotic kitchen systems to specialized equipment, indicating a market with varied customer needs and preferences.
One of the main challenges in the food robotics market is accepting and integrating such technologies into traditional kitchen environments. While market acceptance is currently low, the ongoing labor shortages in the food service industry and the increasing demand for efficiency and consistency in food preparation present significant opportunities for growth. As such, Miso Robotics’ strategic focus on developing AI-enabled robots that can seamlessly integrate into existing kitchen workflows and enhance productivity is well-aligned with market needs.
Team
Miso Robotics is led by CEO Rich Hull, who also owns and operates his own investment firm Avalanche Capital to acquire and operate emerging growth companies. He previously founded and eventually exited Pongalo, a streaming service focused on the Spanish-speaking market. He also served as Founder and CEO of Avalanche Entertainment for 12 years, a film financing and advisory firm. He holds a BA in English from Vanderbilt.
He is joined by Bachir Kharraja (CTO), who has over 24 years of engineering experiences at companies like iRobot, Bluefin Robotics, RoboWorx, Block Engineering, and skyTran. He holds a BA, MA, and PhD in Physics.
Rounding out the full-time C-Suite is John DiLoreto (CFO) who has held executive finance roles at Intel, 3Com, Virtual Micorsystems, and Jenmar Visual systems. He holds a BA abd MS in Engineering from MIT and UC-Berkeley, respectively. He also holds an MBA from Stanford.
Buck Jordan, founder of Miso Robotics, now serves a limited, part-time role as Chairman and President. He is currently running Vebu Labs, an incubator focused finding disruptive companies in teh Big Data, AI, and Robotics Space. He also runs a VC fund called Canyon Creek Capital.
The wider operations and product team have extensive backgrounds at well-known firms like Amazon, Lenovo, Google, Motorolla, and Ring.
Differentiation
Miso Robotics distinguishes itself in the robotics space, specifically within the niche of food robotics, through its innovative AI-enabled robot, Flippy. This differentiation is underscored by developing robotic solutions designed to enhance efficiency and consistency in commercial kitchens. Competing directly with companies like Nala Robotics, Hyphen, Lab2Fab, and Picnic, Miso Robotics focuses on automating the cooking process with a range of products, including Flippy 2 Wings, Flippy Lite, Sippy, CookRight, and CookRight Coffee.
One of Miso Robotics' key differentiators is its intellectual property portfolio, with 12 patents pending and one awarded. This portfolio highlights the company's commitment to innovation and protecting its technological advancements. This robust patent strategy secures its inventions and positions Miso Robotics favorably against competitors in a moderately competitive landscape.
Furthermore, Miso Robotics has demonstrated significant market traction through partnerships and deployments in high-visibility locations such as LA Dodgers Stadium, Arizona Diamondbacks Chase Field, and three CaliBurger locations. These deployments serve as proof of concept and significantly enhance the brand's visibility and adoption potential.
Despite the presence of direct competitors, Miso Robotics’ focus on AI and machine learning to create versatile kitchen assistants that can work alongside human chefs sets it apart. The company's approach to automating specific cooking processes, such as frying chicken wings with Flippy 2 Wings or brewing coffee with CookRight Coffee, demonstrates a targeted strategy to address efficiency and consistency challenges in commercial kitchens.
Performance
Miso Robotics has demonstrated a notable capacity for innovation in the industrial services sector, specifically within the burgeoning field of food robotics. The company's flagship product, Flippy, an AI-enabled robot designed to work as a kitchen assistant, underscores Miso Robotics' commitment to enhancing efficiency and consistency in commercial kitchens. The development of Flippy, along with Flippy 2 Wings, Flippy Lite, Sippy, CookRight, and CookRight Coffee, represents a diversified approach to automating various aspects of the food preparation process.
Despite being in a pre-profit stage, Miso Robotics has attracted significant investment, raising $96.9 million in prior rounds. This substantial capital injection has likely been instrumental in the company's product development and operational expansion efforts. However, it's important to note that the company reported an annual revenue of just $492,570. This indicates that while Miso Robotics has generated interest and begun to penetrate the market, it is still in the early stages of revenue generation.
The company's partnerships with notable brands such as White Castle and Jack In The Box signify the commercial appeal and potential scalability of its robotic solutions in the fast-food industry. These collaborations not only serve as a testament to the practical application and demand for Miso Robotics' technology but also provide valuable platforms for real-world deployment and feedback.
However, the reported monthly burn rate of $960,843.17 presents a significant challenge to the company's financial sustainability. This high expenditure rate highlights the capital-intensive nature of Miso Robotics' operations. It underscores the importance of achieving greater scale, operational efficiency, and market penetration to ensure long-term viability.
In conclusion, Miso Robotics is at a critical juncture in its development. The company has successfully developed and begun deploying innovative robotic solutions within the food service industry, secured valuable partnerships, and attracted significant investment. However, achieving profitability and managing operational costs will be crucial for Miso Robotics as it seeks to capitalize on its early successes and navigate the competitive landscape of food robotics.
Risk
Miso Robotics faces several unique risks that investors should consider. One of the primary risks involves the highly competitive landscape of the industrial services and food robotics sector. Competitors like Nala Robotics, Hyphen, Lab2Fab, and Picnic could pose significant challenges in innovation, market share, and pricing. Miso Robotics must continuously innovate and potentially outpace these competitors to maintain and grow its market position.
Additionally, while Miso Robotics has developed a range of products such as Flippy, Flippy 2 Wings, and CookRight, these solutions face a supply chain risk. Supply chain disruptions could affect the production and delivery of these robots, impacting the company's ability to meet demand and potentially harming customer relationships and revenue.
Another risk factor is the company's pre-profit status, coupled with a high revenue multiple of 540x, suggesting that Miso Robotics is highly overvalued. This valuation, set against an annual revenue of $492,570 and a net income of $-24,452,313, raises concerns about the company's financial health and future profitability.
Lastly, Miso Robotics has a high monthly burn rate of $960,843.17, which, when juxtaposed with its current cash and cash equivalents of $6,849,946, indicates that the company will need to secure additional funding or significantly increase revenue to sustain its operations in the long run. This high burn rate and the need for extensive product development and scaling presents a substantial financial risk.
Bullish Outlook
Miso Robotics stands at the cutting edge of the food service industry with its AI-enabled robotic solutions, heralding a new era of kitchen efficiency and consistency. The company's flagship product, Flippy, and extensions like Flippy 2 Wings and Flippy Lite represent a significant leap forward in automating and streamlining kitchen operations in commercial settings. These innovations are not just about replacing human labor; they're about enhancing the capabilities of human chefs, ensuring that food is cooked perfectly every time, thereby elevating the overall dining experience.
The technological sophistication of Miso Robotics' products, highlighted by its 12 patents pending and one awarded, underlines the company's strong position in a highly competitive market. With computer and thermal vision, Flippy and its variants can operate alongside human chefs with precision, a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and its potential to transform the way kitchens operate globally.
Moreover, Miso Robotics' impressive fundraising efforts, accumulating $96.9 million in prior rounds (per Crunchbase), along with its strategic partnerships with industry giants such as Ecolab, Meyer Global Management, and Levy Restaurants, underscore the market's confidence in its vision and products. These partnerships not only provide financial backing but also open doors for Miso Robotics to integrate its technology into a wide range of commercial kitchens, from fast-food chains to sports stadiums.
The company's ability to secure a place in high-visibility venues like LA Dodgers Stadium and Arizona Diamondbacks Chase Field highlights Flippy's appeal and effectiveness. This visibility, combined with a reported ten billion+ organic media impressions, has turned Flippy into a household name, demonstrating the market's readiness for the widespread adoption of kitchen automation solutions.
While Miso Robotics is still in the growth phase with a net income of $-24,452,313, the relatively low annual revenue of $492,570 indicates that the company is in the early stages of commercialization. However, given the high addressable market in the US food robotics sector and the company's pioneering technology, the potential for revenue growth is substantial.
Bearish Outlook
Despite its innovative AI-enabled kitchen assistant technology, Miso Robotics faces several significant challenges that contribute to a bearish outlook. First, the company operates in a moderately competitive landscape with direct competitors like Nala Robotics, Hyphen, Lab2Fab, and Picnic. While Miso Robotics has developed a range of products, including Flippy, Flippy 2 Wings, and CookRight, the presence of these competitors could limit Miso Robotics' ability to capture market share.
Financially, the company's situation raises concerns. With an annual revenue of just $492,570 and a reported monthly burn rate of $960,843.17, Miso Robotics's financial sustainability is questionable. The revenue multiple of 540x further suggests that the company is significantly overvalued, which could deter potential investors looking for a more financially stable opportunity. The stark contrast between the company's valuation and its revenue indicates a disconnect that could be difficult to justify.
Another concern is the company's net income of -$24,452,313, which points to substantial losses. In an industry characterized by high barriers to entry and high capital intensity, Miso Robotics' current financial performance may not instill confidence in its ability to become profitable soon.
Furthermore, while the company boasts about partnerships and having users, the specifics of these partnerships and the extent of user adoption are not precise. In a market where adoption and scalability are key to success, the lack of detailed information on these fronts could be a red flag for potential investors.
Executive Summary
Miso Robotics, a pioneer in the food robotics sector, has established itself as a key innovator with its AI-enabled robotic kitchen assistants. The company's flagship product, Flippy, along with its subsequent iterations such as Flippy 2 Wings, Flippy Lite, Sippy, CookRight, and CookRight Coffee, represent a significant leap forward in automating and optimizing the cooking process in commercial kitchens. These products promise to make food preparation more efficient and consistent, addressing a critical need in the fast-paced food service industry.
With strategic partnerships with major fast-food chains like White Castle and Jack In The Box, Miso Robotics is demonstrating its technology's practical application and benefits in real-world settings. These collaborations serve as a testament to the technology's viability and provide valuable feedback loops for further product refinement and development. The company's product lineup, designed to meet the diverse needs of commercial kitchens, positions Miso Robotics to capitalize on the growing US Food Robotics market.
Despite being in the growth stage and facing a highly competitive landscape with players like Nala Robotics, Hyphen, Lab2Fab, and Picnic, Miso Robotics has successfully raised $96.9 million in prior funding rounds. This financial backing, coupled with a robust portfolio of patents, underscores the company's innovative edge and market potential. However, it's important to note that Miso Robotics is currently pre-profit, with an annual revenue of $492,570 and a monthly burn rate that significantly exceeds its revenue. This financial situation highlights the company's challenges in scaling its operations and achieving profitability.
The company's current fundraising effort through Reg A+ crowdfunding, with a maximum target of $25.4 million, aims to fuel product development, payroll, marketing, and general and administrative expenses.
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Company Funding & Growth
Funding history
- Total Prior Capital Raised
- $96,900,000
- VC Backed?
- Yes
Close Date | Platform | Valuation | Total Raised | Security Type | Status | Reg Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11/06/2024 | DealMaker Securities | $266,023,737 | $20,952,198 | Equity - Common | Funded | RegA+ |
09/26/2023 | DealMaker Securities | $221,301,113 | $4,877,160 | Equity - Common | Funded | RegCF |
09/18/2023 | DealMaker Securities | - | $4,877,160 | Equity - Common | Funded | RegD 506(c) |
11/18/2022 | Dalmore Group | $519,931,951 | $3,481,168 | Equity - Preferred | Funded | RegA+ |
07/31/2022 | Dalmore Group | $500,000,000 | $53,447,915 | Equity - Preferred | Funded | RegA+ |
12/14/2021 | Self Managed | - | $541,872 | Equity - Common | Funded | RegD 506(c) |
11/22/2020 | SeedInvest | $80,000,000 | $16,718,284 | Equity - Preferred | Funded | RegA+ |
04/25/2018 | Self Managed | - | $10,000,000 | Equity - Common | Funded | RegD 506(b) |
06/28/2017 | Self Managed | - | $3,000,000 | Equity - Common | Funded | RegD 506(b) |
Growth Charts
Revenue History
Note: Revenue data points reflect the latest of either the most recent fiscal year's financials, or updated revenues directly from the founder, at each raise's close date.
Valuation History
Price per Share History
Note: Share prices shown in earlier rounds may not be indicative of any stock splits.