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Brainr, a European start-up focused on digitising food manufacturing, has successfully raised €11 million in a seed funding round, marking the largest investment of its kind globally aimed at modernising sectors such as poultry, beef, pork and pre-cooked foods.

The funding was led by privately owned C2 Capital Partners.

Brainr’s innovative cloud-based platform connects all facets of food processing operations in real time, addressing longstanding issues such as high waste, poor traceability and food safety risks.

The platform is already managing over 25% of Portugal’s meat production, demonstrating its effectiveness with notable clients including Campoaves and Avisabor.

Brainr's technology has yielded impressive results for its partners. For instance, Campoaves, Portugal's leading free-range chicken producer, reported a 94% reduction in shipping errors and achieved 100% digital traceability thanks to start-up's solutions.

Similarly, Avisabor scaled its production from 40,000 to 190,000 birds per day, effectively halving inventory processing time without compromising operational control.

Paulo Gaspar, CEO and co-founder of Brainr, said: “This historic investment will accelerate our R&D and make artificial intelligence accessible across the food industry – from the smallest plant to the largest. Our mission is clear: to build the digital brain for every food factory.”

With this capital infusion, Brainr plans to broaden its international footprint and expand its offerings to additional food sectors, including bakery, confectionery and beverages.

The company’s vision aligns with the increasing demand for digital solutions in food manufacturing, as industry players seek to enhance operational efficiency and compliance with stringent food safety standards.

André Oliveira, managing partner at C2 Capital Partners, added: “Brainr has assembled a uniquely experienced team with deep sector knowledge. They are proving they can simplify and optimise operations for food manufacturers everywhere.”

Brainr’s has garnered recognition from industry leaders, being named one of Europe’s most promising startups by Europa’s 100, and receiving accolades from Manufacturing Tech Insights and Food4Future for its contributions to digitalisation in manufacturing.