Kikleo
AI cameras that measure what diners leave on their trays
Kikleo installs AI cameras on tray-return conveyors and self-service kiosks in canteens and restaurants to identify and weigh uneaten food and kitchen waste automatically. The platform converts the images into cost, CO2 and cause-of-waste dashboards that kitchen teams use to adjust portions, recipes and production. It is used by around 250 sites, mainly collective catering and hotel restaurants in France.
Our reading. Best for collective catering and hotel breakfast operations in France that want dish-level plate-waste data without adding steps for kitchen staff.
Strengths
- Measurement is automatic and item-level, with no staff input required at the bin
- Guest-facing kiosk gives diners immediate feedback, which the company says cuts waste by 20% in year one
- Backed by Newfund and Bpifrance, with on-site support included
Limits
- Designed for tray-return canteens and buffets rather than table-service restaurants
- Hardware installation and pricing on quote make it heavy for a single small venue
Founded 2019, about 250 restaurant sites, €3.5M round in October 2025
Patented tray-scanning algorithms; over 5 million trays scanned; earlier 2023 round from Avelana, Good Only Ventures and Jean Dussaix (amount undisclosed); French Tech Journal and Maddyness coverage
- https://www.kikleo.com/
- https://startuprise.co.uk/french-foodtech-startup-kikleo-secures-e3-5m-to-reduce-restaurant-food-waste/
- https://www.frenchtechjournal.com/la-machine-45-ai-that-watches-what-you-dont-eat/