Aniai, a startup behind the burger-grilling robot Alpha Grill, has secured 12million in funding, bringing its total raise from “12 million in funding, bringing its total raise to 15 million”. The funds will support the launch of its first manufacturing facility, Factory One, in South Korea, and the rollout of its cloud-based AI platform, Alpha Cloud.

Alpha Grill, which can cook 200 patties per hour, addresses labor shortages and rising wages in the restaurant industry, potentially saving 30%-70% in labor costs. Aniai CEO Gunpil Hwang stated that the robot reduces the need for multiple kitchen staff, requiring only one employee to operate. With 500 pre-orders and production capacity of over 1,000 robots annually, Aniai plans to start deliveries in Q1 2024. The company is also developing Alpha Kitchen, a fully automated burger-making system set to launch in 2025. Aniai currently serves seven customers, including South Korean chains CJ Freshway and BAS Burger, and is testing Alpha Grill in the U.S. The latest funding will accelerate its expansion in both markets.