Bluepoint Partners and LG Electronics Make Seed Investment in Kitchen Automation Startup 'PreKitchenLab'

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Bringing Kitchen Robots Together as One

Deep tech accelerator Bluepoint Partners and LG Electronics have made a seed investment in PreKitchenLab, a startup specializing in food and beverage (F&B) automation and robotics solutions. This investment appears to reflect their interest in the standardization of kitchen automation systems and the potential for widespread market adoption.

On August 20, a representative from PreKitchenLab stated, "After becoming an independent company through the in-house venture program 'STUDIO341,' which is jointly operated by LG Electronics and Bluepoint Partners, the two firms have participated in this seed investment round." Details regarding the investment amount and company valuation remain undisclosed.

PreKitchenLab is a startup that supports the adoption and operational optimization of robotics in F&B businesses. The team is led by CEO Eugene Yoo, who previously managed a restaurant business in Wuhan, China for seven years and handled automation facilities and solution-related work at LG Electronics. The core team includes talent with experience in franchise expansion, automation device control, and software development.

PreKitchenLab identified a major challenge in the industry: operational data is scattered because each manufacturer of automation equipment uses a different communication protocol. To solve this, the company is developing an integrated control system that connects a compact AIoT module to both existing and new kitchen equipment, allowing users to monitor and control heterogeneous devices from different manufacturers via a single tablet interface. The system aims to link equipment status, order processing, sales, and workflow in real time, ultimately reducing repetitive manual tasks.

The company is currently in discussions for proof-of-concept (PoC) projects with franchise headquarters and restaurant operators. They plan to verify actual operational benefits at client sites, including equipment connection stability and reduced work hours.

Jeongsoo Park, Principal Investment Officer at Bluepoint Partners, stated, "While there is considerable demand for automation in kitchen processes such as cooking and dishwashing—areas where labor costs are heavily concentrated—there have been few integrated solutions that small restaurant operators can actually implement and use. PreKitchenLab is a team that understands both technology and the restaurant industry, and they have the potential to standardize and expand kitchen automation systems."

CEO Yoo commented, "For automation in the restaurant industry to be successful, it is essential that different types of equipment and order or operational data are stably interconnected at the site. We aim to become a company that helps independent restaurant owners transform themselves into managers of robots and data."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.