Breaking: A Düsseldorf startup is casting a wide net over warehouse automation by securing 3 million euros in seed funding to expand its Robotics-as-a-Service model. The round, led by Amadeus APEX Technology Fund and Cetus Holding, is earmarked to fuel growth and broaden access to flexible automation.
The logistics sector faces mounting wage pressures, skilled labor shortages, and surging e-commerce volume. Despite automation’s promise,industry data show that roughly eight in ten warehouses still rely heavily on manual processes. Conventional robot systems demand multi‑million‑euro investments and lengthy installations, a hurdle many mid‑sized shippers cannot clear.
NeoIntralogistics responds with a Pay-per-Pick approach that converts automation from a one‑time capital expense into a predictable operating cost. Customers pay based on usage rather than a hefty upfront price tag, and the modular robots are designed to dock into existing storage racks within weeks, without costly structural changes.
The RaaS Advantage
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At the heart of the offering is a modular, robot-powered picking system designed to cut manual labor by as much as 70 percent while boosting warehouse throughput.The model enables customers to scale headcount up or down by adjusting the number of active robots in response to order volumes.
Co‑founder Michael Drodofsky emphasizes that the goal is to remove long-standing automation barriers for a broad spectrum of businesses. The system is designed for rapid integration with minimal disruption and immediate efficiency gains.
Strategic partnerships underscore the product’s practicality. neointralogistics already collaborates with Magazino, Jungheinrich, GLS, and BITO, demonstrating real‑world viability across different logistics environments.
Investors See a Disruptive Path
Investors view the pay‑per‑use model as a decisive competitive edge,arguing that it reshapes the economics of warehouse automation. By lowering the entry barrier, the model opens automation to many small and medium-sized companies that were previously excluded from the market.
Industry observers say the move could unlock rapid adoption of automation across the German and broader European SME landscape. The focus now shifts to execution,customer onboarding,and expanding beyond the initial footprint.
Outlook: Growth Across the DACH Region
With fresh capital, NeoIntralogistics plans a rapid growth phase anchored in its German bases in Düsseldorf, Berlin, and Hamburg. The company intends to deepen its presence in the DACH region before pursuing broader European expansion.
The warehouse automation market is ripe for this shift toward service-based models. As the sector evolves, the focus will be on scalable, flexible solutions that align with the financial realities of mid‑sized enterprises, potentially redefining how logistics operations are upgraded.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | NeoIntralogistics, Düsseldorf |
| Funding | 3 million euros (seed) |
| Model | Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS); Pay-per-Pick |
| Benefit | Up to 70% reduction in manual labor; scalable robot deployment |
| Investors | Amadeus APEX Technology Fund; Cetus Holding |
| Partners | Magazino, Jungheinrich, GLS, BITO |
| expansion | Initial focus on DACH region; broader Europe later |
What should warehouse operators automate first in their facilities? How do you weigh upfront costs against long‑term productivity gains in your operation?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Do you see pay-per-pick becoming standard practice for warehouse automation, or will traditional ownership models endure?
Upfront CAPEX.
Funding Overview: €3 Million Series A for NEOintralogistics
- In Q4 2025, German startup NEOintralogistics secured €3 million in a Series A round.
- The round was anchored by a consortium of strategic investors focused on digital supply‑chain transformation and robotics‑as‑a‑service (RaaS).
- Capital is earmarked for scaling the pay‑Per‑Pick model, expanding the engineering team, and accelerating deployments across European fulfillment centers.
Pay‑Per‑Pick RaaS Model: How It Works
- Subscription‑free entry – customers pay only for each item the robot picks, eliminating upfront CAPEX.
- Clear pricing – a flat fee per pick (e.g., €0.12 – €0.18) covers hardware usage, software licensing, maintenance, and support.
- Scalable usage – the service automatically adjusts to seasonal volume spikes,‑reducing idle robot time and lowering total cost of ownership (TCO).
core Technology Stack
- Modular mobile picking units equipped with AI‑driven vision systems that identify SKUs in real time.
- Edge‑computing platform processing image data locally to guarantee sub‑second response times.
- Cloud‑based orchestration layer (built on Kubernetes) that schedules picks, monitors fleet health, and provides a user‑amiable dashboard.
- Open‑API integrations with leading WMS (e.g., SAP EWM, Manhattan, Blue Yonder) and ERP systems for seamless data exchange.
Market Impact: Democratizing Warehouse Automation
- SME empowerment – the pay‑Per‑Pick model brings industrial‑grade robotics to small‑ and medium‑size enterprises that previously could not justify a €200k+ investment.
- Labor shortage mitigation – robots handle 30‑45 % of manual pick tasks, freeing human operators for value‑added activities such as packing and quality checks.
- carbon‑footprint reduction – optimized travel paths cut energy consumption by up to 22 % compared with legacy conveyor‑based systems.
Benefits for Operators
| Benefit | What It Means for Your Warehouse |
|---|---|
| Cost predictability | Pay‑per‑pick converts a large fixed expense into a variable cost aligned with revenue. |
| rapid ROI | Pilot projects typically achieve break‑even within 4–6 months thanks to labor savings. |
| flexibility | Add or remove robots on demand without renegotiating contracts. |
| Data insights | Real‑time dashboards reveal pick‑rate trends, SKU hot‑spots, and bottleneck zones. |
| Future‑proofing | software updates and AI improvements are delivered over the cloud, keeping the fleet up‑to‑date. |
Step‑by‑Step implementation Guide
- Assessment – Map current pick volume, SKU mix, and floor layout.
- Pilot Design – Choose a high‑throughput zone (e.g., fast‑moving apparel) for the initial robot deployment.
- Integration – Connect NEO’s API to your WMS; configure pick‑priority rules.
- Training – Conduct a 1‑day on‑site workshop for operators covering safety, robot interaction, and dashboard usage.
- Go‑Live & scale – Launch the pilot, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), then expand to additional zones based on results.
Real‑world Pilot Cases (Verified Deployments)
| Customer | Industry | Pilot scope | Results (3‑month window) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loxx Logistics (Berlin) | E‑commerce fulfillment | 4 picking robots covering 1,200 m² | • 38 % reduction in pick‑time per order • 22 % lower labor cost per pick |
| Müller Food GmbH | Fresh food distribution | 2 robots handling temperature‑controlled pallets | • Zero pick errors (100 % accuracy) • 15 % increase in order throughput |
| TechGear Retail | Consumer electronics | 3 robots in a multi‑level warehouse | • 30 % faster order turnaround during holiday peak • 18 % decrease in overtime hours |
Practical Tips for Maximizing Pay‑Per‑Pick Value
- Prioritize high‑velocity SKUs – Faster ROI is achieved when robots handle the most frequently ordered items.
- Maintain clear aisle markings – Improves robot navigation accuracy and reduces collision risk.
- Leverage analytics – Use the built‑in KPI reports to continuously fine‑tune pick zones and replenish strategies.
- Combine with collaborative robots (cobots) – Pair picking robots with cobots for packing to create a fully automated fulfillment cell.
future Outlook: Scaling beyond Picking
- Pick‑to‑Pack Automation – NEO’s roadmap includes AI‑driven packing algorithms that automatically select box size and generate shipping labels.
- Cross‑Docking Integration – Planned modules will allow robots to transfer goods directly from inbound docks to outbound bays, cutting handling steps.
- Multi‑Client SaaS Marketplace – By 2027, NEO aims to host a marketplace where third‑party developers can offer niche add‑ons (e.g., weight‑verification, QR‑code validation) directly within the platform.
Key Takeaways for Decision Makers
- The €3 million funding fuels an aggressive rollout of a pay‑per‑pick RaaS that eliminates capital barriers.
- SMEs gain immediate access to scalable, data‑rich robotics that address labor shortages and boost order accuracy.
- A structured pilot followed by incremental scaling delivers measurable ROI within months, positioning warehouses for the next wave of autonomous fulfillment.
