Exotec

Exotec
TypePrivate
IndustryWarehouse automation
Founded2015
Founders
  • Romain Moulin
  • Renaud Heitz
Headquarters
Wasquehal
,
France
ProductsAutonomous robots, automated storage and retrieval system, automated warehouse management system
ServicesEnd-to-end integration of automated warehouse technologies
Revenue340,000,000 euro (2026) Edit this on Wikidata
Number of employees
1,300 employees (2025) Edit this on Wikidata
Websitewww.exotec.com

Exotec is a warehouse automation company that designs and manufactures automated storage and retrieval systems powered by proprietary mobile robots, and grew into a vertical integrator of automated warehouse technologies. The company, founded in 2015, is headquartered in Wasquehal, France, with US headquarters in Atlanta. Exotec became France's 25th unicorn in 2022.

History

Exotec was founded in June 2015 by French entrepreneurs Renaud Heitz and Romain Moulin to create a new generation of mobile robots to automate warehouse operations. In the first year, the company raised 340,000 euros from angel investors, and then 3.3 million euros in December 2016. The prototype version (Exo) essentially traversed large warehouses to pick items off the shelves for workers.

The company launched the first fleet of autonomous robots (Skypod) in December 2017 in a Cdiscount warehouse. In June 2018, Exotec raised a $15 million series B round of investment. In 2020, Exotec raised a 77 million euros Series C round of investment. The company opened offices in Japan and set up its US headquarters in Atlanta in 2021. It broadened its operations and developed a complete end-to-end solution to automate warehouse logistics.

In January 2022, Exotec raised 335 million dollars in a series D round led by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, raising its valuation to $2 billion, and making Exotec the 25th French unicorn and the country's first industrial unicorn.

A 2.0 version of the Skypod system was launched in 2025. In early 2026, Exotec opened its global headquarters in Wasquehal. The new site, called Imaginarium, covers approximately 25,000 square metres (270,000 sq ft). The building houses offices, research facilities and production operations that were previously spread across several sites.

Description

Exotec is a warehouse automation company specialized in end-to-end robotics solutions, offering a vertical warehouse execution system (Deepsky) that fits many industries (grocery, food and beverage, apparel, healthcare, 3PLs, manufacturing). Exotec developed its proprietary autonomous robots (Skypod) with horizontal and vertical (up to 45 feet) directional systems that can move between the storage racks and fetch items.

The company is based in Wasquehal, France, with offices in the USA and Japan. Clients include Uniqlo.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sawers, Paul (2016-12-01). "Robotics startup Exotec raises $3.5 million to help warehouses pack and dispatch goods using mini robots". Venturebeat. Retrieved 2026-11-07.
  2. ↑ Mundubeltz-Gendron, Stéphanie (1 December 2016). "[Logistique] Exotec, portrait d'un robot 100% français qui facilite la vie des e-commerçants". L'Usine Digitale (in French). Retrieved 2026-11-07.
  3. ↑ Sawers, Paul (2017-12-07). "Exotec debuts autonomous Skypod robots in French warehouse". Venturebeat. Retrieved 2026-11-07.
  4. 1 2 Manens, François (12 July 2019). "La startup de la semaine : les robots d'Exotec défient ceux d'Amazon". La Tribune (in French). Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  5. ↑ Degeler, Andrii (12 June 2018). "French warehouse robotics startup Exotec secures €15 million from Iris Capital". Tech.eu. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  6. ↑ Tucker, Charlotte (2020-09-29). "Lille-based Exotec raises €77.1 million to support the international expansion of its warehouse robotics solutions". EU-Startups. Archived from the original on 2025-07-24. Retrieved 2026-11-07.
  7. ↑ Keane, Jonathan (29 September 2020). "Exotec raises $90 million to ramp up its autonomous warehouse robots". Tech.eu. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  8. 1 2 "EXOTEC's Skypod System Gives Japan's Logistics a High-Speed Boost". Jetro. 2026. Retrieved 2026-11-07.
  9. 1 2 Ehlinger, Maija (2022-10-12). "Warehouse Robotics Unicorn Exotec's Atlanta Bet a Sign of Growing French Tech Links". Global Atlanta. Retrieved 2026-11-07.
  10. 1 2 Dillet, Romain (16 January 2022). "Warehouse robotics system Exotec raises $335 million". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  11. ↑ Bannett, Catherine (2022-01-17). "France celebrates 25th unicorn in strong start to 2022 for tech sector". France 24. Retrieved 2026-11-07.
  12. ↑ Corot, Léna (18 February 2025). "Exotec affine le pilotage de ses robots... avec moins d'IA". L'Usine Nouvelle (in French). Retrieved 2026-11-07.
  13. ↑ Perget, Matthew (4 February 2026). "Sur 25 000 m² inaugurés à Wasquehal (59), Exotec concentre en France son cœur industriel". Voxlog (in French). Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  14. ↑ Gros, Maryse (9 January 2019). "Exotec Solutions déploie ses robots logistiques chez les e-commerçants". Le Monde Informatique (in French). Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  15. ↑ Treilles, Clarisse (2 August 2021). "Les robots de logistique d'Exotec font un carton". ZDNet (in French). Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  16. ↑ "Japan's Fast Retailing Partners With Two Robotic Startups". The Business of Fashion. 2019-11-13. Retrieved 2026-11-07.