The automated storage and retrieval systems industry in Europe focuses on enhancing efficiency in logistics through advanced storage solutions. Companies operating within this sector design and implement systems that automate the storage, retrieval, and management of inventory in warehouses, manufacturing plants, and distribution centers. The industry includes technology developers, robotics firms, and logistics providers, all vying for their share of a booming market influenced by growing e-commerce demands. As automation technologies continue to evolve, investments pour in to boost innovations like AI-driven stock management and autonomous vehicles, placing this industry on a dynamic trajectory toward smarter logistics.


This list showcases prominent investors in the automated storage and retrieval systems sector across Europe. With a mix of venture capital and private equity firms, these investors are predominantly located in major hubs like London, Paris, and Stockholm. Founded between 1994 and 2017, the investors range in size from small teams to corporate giants, reflecting varied strategies in investment and partnerships. In 2024, these investors collectively completed over 600 deals, showing a vibrant interest in the intersection of logistics and technology.


Top 14 Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems Investors in Europe


1. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération


Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a venture capital investor based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2015. As a public entity and financial institution, Bpifrance supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally through various services, including direct funding and private equity investments. They aim to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, helping businesses navigate growth and international expansion. Notably, Bpifrance has been involved in several transactions relevant to the automated storage and retrieval systems sector, including a Series A investment in Balyo, which specializes in robotics for logistics, and funding for Stanley Robotics, which is developing an autonomous parking valet robot. Additionally, they supported iFollow, a startup focused on autonomous robots for logistics, further demonstrating their commitment to investing in automation technologies.


2. SoftBank Investment Advisers


SoftBank Investment Advisers, also known as the SoftBank Vision Fund, is a venture capital fund based in London, England, founded in 2017. The fund specializes in investing in technology-focused companies, particularly those innovating in artificial intelligence. With a diverse portfolio, SoftBank has made significant investments in various sectors, including health tech and fintech. Notably, they have invested in companies like Berkshire Grey, which focuses on robotic solutions for logistics and fulfillment, and Brain Corp, which develops AI technology for robotics applications, including inventory delivery and shelf analytics. These investments reflect SoftBank's commitment to fostering technological advancements in automation, making them a relevant player in the automated storage and retrieval systems industry.


3. Almi

  • Website: almi.se
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: almi-ab

Almi AB is a financial services company based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. It specializes in providing loans, risk capital, and business development support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden. Almi aims to enhance the growth and competitiveness of these businesses by offering tailored financial solutions and guidance. Among its notable transactions, Almi has invested in Nordic Forestry Automation, which raised $979,591 in a Series A funding round in July 2023, indicating a focus on automation technologies. Additionally, Almi participated in funding rounds for companies like FlexQube and STORViX, which are involved in innovative solutions that could relate to automated storage and retrieval systems. This diverse investment portfolio suggests that Almi is open to exploring opportunities within the automation sector, making it a potential player in the automated storage and retrieval systems industry.


4. Index Ventures

  • Website: indexventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 67
  • LinkedIn: index-ventures

Index Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 1996, based in London, England. The firm invests in innovative startups across various sectors, including technology and healthcare, providing capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs. They focus on building long-term partnerships with founders to drive success. Notably, Index Ventures has been involved in significant transactions such as Covariant, which raised $75 million in 2023 and focuses on AI solutions that enhance automation in various industries, including logistics and storage. Additionally, their investment in MinIO, an open-source cloud storage product, highlights their engagement in the storage technology space, further emphasizing their relevance to automated storage and retrieval systems.


5. EQT Group

  • Website: eqtgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a prominent private equity investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. The firm specializes in various investment strategies, including private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital, catering primarily to institutional investors. EQT has a strong track record of investing in technology and industrial sectors, as evidenced by their acquisition of AutoStore, a Norwegian robotics company known for its automated storage solutions, in December 2016 for approximately €400 million. This acquisition aimed to bolster AutoStore's growth and international expansion, showcasing EQT's commitment to the automated storage and retrieval systems industry. Additionally, EQT's investment in Piab Group, a Swedish industrial technology company, further highlights their focus on innovative solutions in automation and material handling. Their involvement in Storable, a technology provider for the self-storage industry, also reflects their interest in sectors that intersect with automated storage solutions. Overall, EQT Group's diverse portfolio and strategic investments position them as a significant player in the automated storage and retrieval systems landscape.


6. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg, founded in 1958, that provides financial services including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services to support sustainable projects across various sectors. In 2024, EIB was involved in 99 investments, showcasing its active role in financing initiatives that promote growth and job creation. Notably, EIB has invested in companies like Nomagic, a Polish developer of pick-and-place warehouse robots, which raised $22 million in a Series A funding round with EIB's participation. This technology is designed to automate manual warehouses, highlighting EIB's commitment to advancing automation in logistics. Additionally, EIB led a €21 million Series B financing round for Magazino, a company focused on robotic solutions for warehouse automation, further emphasizing its engagement in the automated storage and retrieval systems sector. These transactions illustrate EIB's strategic investments in innovative technologies that enhance operational efficiency in logistics and warehousing.


7. Seedcamp

  • Website: seedcamp.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2007
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 40
  • LinkedIn: seedcamp_2

Seedcamp is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2007. They specialize in investing in early-stage startups across Europe, providing not only financial backing but also support in achieving product-market fit, sales, and access to a vast network of investors. Seedcamp focuses on technology-driven companies looking to innovate and grow. Notably, they have invested in Stowga, a London-based on-demand warehousing marketplace, which raised £1.5M in seed funding with Seedcamp's participation. This investment highlights their interest in the logistics sector, which is relevant to automated storage and retrieval systems. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for other tech startups like Kubeark and Popsink, indicating a diverse portfolio that includes companies with potential applications in automation and technology-driven solutions.


8. ASSA ABLOY Group

  • Website: assaabloy.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 21
  • LinkedIn: assaabloy

ASSA ABLOY Group is a leading security solutions provider based in Stockholm, Sweden, specializing in locks, doors, gates, and entrance automation. Founded in 1994, the company has established itself as a leader in the security industry through numerous acquisitions and a diverse product portfolio. Among their notable transactions, the acquisition of Integrated Warehouse Solutions in January 2024 highlights their interest in automated storage and retrieval systems, as this company specializes in warehouse automation solutions. Other acquisitions, such as Traka Plc and 4Front Engineered Solutions, further demonstrate ASSA ABLOY's commitment to enhancing security and access control technologies, which are integral to modern automated storage systems. Their strategic investments reflect a strong focus on innovation and the integration of advanced technologies in their offerings.


9. Speedinvest

  • Website: speedinvest.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 45
  • LinkedIn: speedinvest

Speedinvest is a venture capital firm based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in funding early-stage tech startups across Europe, providing both capital and hands-on support to help these companies scale. Their investment focus spans various technology sectors, including Deep Tech, Fintech, and SaaS. Notably, Speedinvest has been involved in significant transactions within the logistics and storage sectors, such as their investments in Fernride, a German startup that raised multiple rounds of funding for its autonomous logistics solutions, and Stowga, a London-based on-demand warehousing marketplace. These investments highlight Speedinvest's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the logistics and storage space, which are closely related to automated storage and retrieval systems.


10. A.P. Moller - Maersk

  • Website: maersk.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Founded year: 1904
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: maersk-group

A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S is a leading logistics company based in Copenhagen, Denmark, specializing in shipping and logistics services globally. Founded in 1904, the company has a workforce of over 10,000 employees and provides comprehensive solutions for shipping, port operations, supply chain management, and warehousing. In recent years, Maersk has shown a keen interest in investing in innovative technologies that enhance logistics efficiency. Notably, they participated in the Series A funding round for Boxbot, which aims to improve delivery experiences through automation. Additionally, Maersk Growth was involved in the funding rounds for Dexory, a company focused on warehouse management solutions, and ISEE, which develops self-driving yard truck solutions. These investments reflect Maersk's commitment to integrating advanced technologies into their operations, particularly in the context of automated storage and retrieval systems.


11. Bgf

  • Website: bgf.co.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 53
  • LinkedIn: bgfinvestments

BGF Investment Management Limited is a venture capital firm based in London, UK, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in providing growth funding and value creation support to small and mid-sized businesses across the UK and Ireland. BGF focuses on addressing the funding gap in the market through minority investments and extensive support services. Notably, BGF has been active in the logistics and technology sectors, with significant investments such as £7.5 million in fulfilmentcrowd, which is involved in ecommerce logistics and technology, and £15 million in ITD Global, a tech-enabled logistics consolidator. These investments highlight BGF's commitment to supporting companies that enhance operational efficiencies, which is a key aspect of automated storage and retrieval systems. Additionally, BGF's investment in Joloda International and Kubus further demonstrates their engagement in sectors that intersect with automated storage solutions.


12. Crowdcube

  • Website: crowdcube.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: crowdcube-limited

Crowdcube is a London-based crowdfunding platform founded in 2010 that enables businesses to raise capital through equity investments. It connects startups and SMEs with potential investors, facilitating the funding process. The platform promotes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services to its clients. Notably, Crowdcube has been involved in several transactions relevant to the automated storage and retrieval systems context, including investments in Magway, which raised significant funds through equity crowdfunding and convertible notes. Magway focuses on innovative logistics solutions that align with automated storage and retrieval systems. Additionally, Crowdcube has supported Academy of Robotics, which may also intersect with automation technologies. These transactions highlight Crowdcube's engagement with companies that are relevant to the automated storage and retrieval systems industry.


13. LocalGlobe

  • Website: localglobe.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 15
  • LinkedIn: localglobe

LocalGlobe is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2019. The firm partners with exceptional founders and companies at various stages of growth, from pre-seed to scale-up and public markets. LocalGlobe provides venture capital funding and investment management services, focusing on supporting startups in navigating their growth challenges. Among their notable transactions, LocalGlobe participated in the funding of Boxy, a pioneer of autonomous stores, which raised €25 million in Series A funding in February 2022. This investment highlights their interest in automation technologies. Additionally, they were involved in the seed funding of Gideon Brothers, a Croatian startup specializing in industrial robots, which raised $765K in July 2018. These transactions reflect LocalGlobe's engagement with companies that are relevant to the automated storage and retrieval systems industry, showcasing their commitment to investing in innovative technology solutions.


14. Ardian

  • Website: ardian.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 21
  • LinkedIn: ardian

Ardian is a prominent investment management firm based in Paris, specializing in private equity, real assets, and credit solutions. Founded in 1996, Ardian has established a global presence and focuses on sustainable finance, providing tailored investment strategies to institutional investors, family offices, and pension funds. In 2024, Ardian has been particularly active, with 21 investments, including significant transactions in the automated storage and retrieval systems sector. Notably, they entered exclusive negotiations to acquire a majority stake in Alstef Group, a provider of automated and robotic solutions for the airport and logistics sectors, and acquired a majority stake in Vecos, a company specializing in tech-enabled smart locker solutions. These strategic investments highlight Ardian's commitment to enhancing their portfolio with innovative technologies in the logistics and storage sectors.



Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
SoftBank Investment AdvisersLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-500201714
AlmiStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden201-50019947
Index VenturesLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200199667
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
SeedcampLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-50200740
ASSA ABLOY GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden10001+199421
SpeedinvestVienna, Vienna, Austria51-200201145
A.P. Moller - MaerskCopenhagen, Denmark10001+19044
BgfLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200201153
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
LocalGlobeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-50201915
ArdianParis, Île-De-France, France1001-5000199621


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