VisioLab Raises $11M to Scale AI-Powered Checkout in NBA Arenas
Osnabrück-based startup VisioLab has closed a Series A funding round of approximately $11 million. The round is led by investors eCAPITAL and Simon Capital. Existing backers including High-Tech Gründerfonds, APX (Axel Springer and Porsche), and family office zwei.7 are also participating again. The company develops AI-powered self-checkout systems for the foodservice industry and reports that it already processes around one million transactions per month.
What the Technology Does and How It Is Used in NBA Arenas
VisioLab’s system is based on an AI that recognizes food and beverages via camera, without the need for barcodes or specialized hardware. The software runs as an app on a standard Apple iPad. When a guest places their food or drinks under the camera, the AI identifies the products within seconds, displays the price, and enables payment via a compact Bluetooth terminal.
In practice, this means for arena visitors: no scanning, no queues, no cashier staff that needs to be briefed. Especially during the halftime break of an NBA game, when many fans want to buy snacks and drinks at the same time, the system is designed to significantly reduce bottlenecks at the concession stands. According to the company, the entire setup can be put into operation in less than five minutes.
In the arena of NBA team Orlando Magic, VisioLab currently operates 43 such systems, covering nearly the entire stadium according to the company’s own figures. Other customers in US sports include NFL teams Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers, as well as soccer club Inter Miami, which has selected VisioLab as a launch partner for its new NU stadium.
Key Metrics at a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Installations worldwide | around 500 |
| Transactions per month | around 1 million |
| Cumulative transaction volume | nearly $100 million |
| Revenue share from the US | around 50 percent |
| Annual growth in the US | over 1,000 percent |
| Employees (current) | around 25 |
Applications Beyond Sports
In addition to the sports and entertainment segment, VisioLab is also present in corporate canteens and university cafeterias. Approximately one in three German university campuses uses the technology through student services organizations. The company also partners with global caterers Compass Group and Aramark in Europe and the US. In Germany, the system is furthermore deployed in staff restaurants at DAX-listed corporations as well as companies in the banking, insurance, and automotive sectors.
Quotes on the Funding Round
“VisioLab demonstrates how AI can radically simplify everyday processes while making them highly scalable, thereby solving a central operational bottleneck in foodservice. The combination of a strong customer focus, solid traction, and international momentum convinced us.” — Lucas Merle, Partner at eCAPITAL
“Our ambition from the very beginning was to use AI to make technology so simple that in operation it no longer feels like technology.” — Tim Niekamp, CEO and Co-Founder of VisioLab
Where the Fresh Capital Is Going
With the new capital, VisioLab intends to advance its international expansion. Co-Founder Iwo Gernemann will continue to grow the US business from the new Boston location, with a focus on the sports and entertainment market. At the same time, the company is entering new markets in Australia, New Zealand, Austria, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
The team is set to grow from around 25 to approximately 40 employees. New executives are joining from companies including Klarna, SumUp, and Google. Around 15 positions are currently open, including go-to-market roles in Boston as well as positions in marketing, customer success, and engineering in Germany.
