Orbisk

Orbisk provides an automated food waste monitoring system for the hospitality sector, designed to help professional kitchens reduce waste and improve profitability. The company was founded in 2019 in Utrecht, Netherlands, by Olaf van der Veen (CEO), Bart van Arnhem (CTO), and Richard Beks (CCO). The idea originated in late 2017 when van der Veen, leveraging his background in data analytics at major retailers and experience in the hospitality industry, decided to tackle the significant issue of food waste. He was joined by van Arnhem, a software developer, in early 2018, and they initially worked on the prototype in their spare time before committing full-time in 2019.

The company’s core product, the 'Orbi', is a plug-and-play unit installed above a kitchen's waste bin. It consists of a camera and a scale that work together to automatically register all food being discarded. Using AI-powered image recognition, the system identifies the specific food items, quantities, and the time of disposal without interrupting the kitchen's workflow. This data is uploaded to a cloud-based dashboard, providing kitchen managers with actionable insights into what is being wasted and why, enabling data-driven decisions on procurement, portioning, and menu planning. Orbisk claims its service can help kitchens reduce food waste by up to 70%.

Orbisk operates on a service-based business model, leasing the hardware and providing access to the data dashboard and training. Its target clients include hotels, restaurants, catering services, and cruise lines. The company has established significant partnerships with major hospitality groups like Accor, Hyatt, and Carnival Cruise Line. By early 2024, Orbisk had installed its monitors in 500 companies and as of mid-2024, operates in over 42 countries with nearly 1,000 monitors installed.

The company has progressed through several funding rounds, securing a Seed round of approximately $1.23 million in August 2021 and a Series A round of over €8 million in December 2024. Key investors include PeakBridge, Regeneration.VC, Kost Capital, and DOEN Participaties. This funding is aimed at further developing the AI technology, driving international expansion, and enhancing customer integrations.

Keywords: food waste management, AI food recognition, hospitality technology, kitchen efficiency, food waste monitoring, computer vision, smart waste bin, sustainability, food service optimization, waste reduction analytics, automated data collection, restaurant tech, catering solutions, hotel operations, food cost reduction, ESG reporting, Orbi, Olaf van der Veen, cleantech, foodtech, professional kitchens, waste tracking