Fresco
Fresco is a Dublin-based B2B platform company whose KitchenOS operating system and AI Cooking Companion enable global appliance OEMs to launch connected cooking experiences across brands, devices, and 18 languages without building IoT infrastructure in-house.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersDublin, Ireland
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Fresco does
Fresco (legal entity Adaptics Limited, formerly Drop) is a Dublin-headquartered B2B platform company that provides KitchenOS, a purpose-built operating system for connected cooking, to global appliance manufacturers. Founded in 2012 as a smart-scale hardware business and pivoted between 2016-2021 into a software platform, Fresco rebranded to its current identity in April 2022 alongside a $20M Series B. KitchenOS unifies appliance onboarding (under two weeks), AI-powered recipe and content management (18 languages), data insights across brands, security/compliance (GDPR, CCPA, NIST, EN 303 645) on AWS infrastructure, and a developer platform (SDKs, APIs, cloud-to-cloud). The AI Cooking Companion sits atop KitchenOS as the experience layer, delivering generative Recipe Import, adaptive guided cooking, automatic appliance control, and ingredient presets.
Fresco serves global appliance OEMs (Panasonic, Instant Brands, Viking, Kenwood, AGA Living, GE Appliances, Middleby, Bosch, LG, Electrolux, Arda, E.G.O.) through three commercial deployment paths: Fresco App Only (cross-brand consumer app), Branded App Experience (white-label iOS/Android apps such as Panasonic Kitchen+, Viking Cloud, Kenwood & Me, and Instant Brands Connect), and Any App or Screen Integration (SDK/API for existing ecosystems). Revenue is generated through platform licensing, recurring OEM partnership fees tied to firmware/cloud/AI/content/support, and optional professional content services. Distribution is OEM-embedded supplemented by major trade shows (IFA, CES, IHA), and the company is led by co-founder and CEO Ben Harris with co-founder Tim Redfern as CTO. Total disclosed funding is approximately $35.5M across multiple rounds including a €15M Series C in December 2025 backed by Middleby, ACT Venture Capital, and several strategic operators.
Fresco firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fresco
- Legal name
- Adaptics Limited
- Website
- https://frescocooks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Fresco is a Dublin-based B2B platform company whose KitchenOS operating system and AI Cooking Companion enable global appliance OEMs to launch connected cooking experiences across brands, devices, and 18 languages without building IoT infrastructure in-house.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fresco industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Smart Kitchen IoT Platform
- NAICS
- Small Electrical Appliance Manufacturing (335210), Small Electrical Appliance Manufacturing (33521)
- SIC
- Electric Housewares & Fans (3634)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty Kitchen Appliances Retail (Sous Vide, Dehydrators, Ice Cream) (CRACADAF)
Keywords
Where Fresco is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dublin
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Fresco business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Platform Licensing (KitchenOS): Fresco licenses its KitchenOS platform to appliance manufacturers. Brands can choose from multiple partnership models: Fresco App Only (fastest path), Branded App Experience (fully branded), or Any App or Screen (SDK/API integration). Revenue is generated through platform fees, licensing, and ongoing support/maintenance contracts with OEM partners.
- OEM Partnership Fees: Appliance brands pay for access to Fresco's connected cooking platform, including firmware support, cloud infrastructure, content management, AI capabilities, and ongoing platform updates. The Full Stack Solution includes branded iOS/Android apps, the AI Cooking Companion, and data analytics.
- Content Services: Optional professional recipe creation services aligned to appliances, markets, and brand positioning. Brands can expand their content library without hiring internal content teams.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Fresco product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fresco licenses its proprietary KitchenOS platform to global appliance manufacturers, enabling them to embed connected cooking capabilities—AI-powered guided cooking, recipe management, appliance control, and cross-brand interoperability—into their smart kitchen products. The company offers three partnership paths: Fresco App Only (cross-brand app), Branded App Experience (fully white-labeled iOS/Android apps), and Any App or Screen (SDK/API integration). Customers include Panasonic, Instant Pot, Viking, Kenwood, Bosch, LG, Electrolux, and Middleby.
Product overview
Fresco is a smart kitchen platform consisting of three connected layers: KitchenOS (the scalable foundation/platform), AI Cooking Companion (the guided experience across appliances and apps), and the Connected Kitchen ecosystem (cross-brand interoperability of appliances, content, and cooks). The platform architecture includes core modules for Content Management (Recipe CMS), Data Insights, Security & Compliance, and Marketing & Engagement Tools. Fresco offers multiple deployment options: Full Stack Solution (fully managed white-label apps), Developer Platform (SDKs and APIs for custom integrations), and white-label apps like Panasonic Kitchen+, Viking Cloud, Kenwood & Me, and Instant Brands Connect. Key AI-powered features include Recipe Import, Guided Cooking, and Ingredient Presets that transform static recipes into intelligent, appliance-ready experiences.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KitchenOS: The scalable foundation platform for connected cooking, powering appliances, content, and AI experiences.
- AI Cooking Companion
Products and services
- KitchenOS The operating system for the connected kitchen—a unified platform that powers connected cooking experiences across appliances, content, and AI. Enables cross-brand interoperability, appliance onboarding in under 2 weeks, and supports 18 languages globally. Licensed to appliance manufacturers.
- AI Cooking Companion
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% appliance activation rate across Fresco-powered partner apps
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Fresco
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Fresco technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability8 records
Feature7 records
Fresco partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and flagship.
- E.G.O.coreE.G.O. is a new OEM partnership announced at IFA 2025. The partnership brings more appliance categories and manufacturers into Fresco's unified platform, expanding the smart kitchen ecosystem with E.G.O.'s component and appliance technology.
- ArdacoreArda is a new OEM partnership announced at IFA 2025, integrating Fresco's KitchenOS into Arda appliances. CEO Tyler Hu also invested in Fresco's Series C round, creating a strong dual investor-partner relationship. The partnership expands Fresco's appliance ecosystem reach.
- Michael Wolf / The SpoonsupportingFresco co-hosted a special Cocktail Hour at IFA 2025 alongside Michael Wolf and The Spoon, bringing together leaders and partners from across the smart kitchen space for an evening of conversation and collaboration. The Spoon is a smart kitchen industry media outlet.
- PanasonicflagshipPanasonic partnered with Fresco to launch the HomeCHEF Connect 4-in-1 Multi-Oven and Panasonic Kitchen+ app, Fresco's first major Branded App Experience deployment. The partnership delivered a full platform solution in 8 months with 300+ recipes and ingredient presets. The oven launched at CES 2025 and received strong media coverage and consumer interest.
- Instant BrandscoreInstant Brands led Fresco's $20M Series B funding round and partnered to develop KitchenOS for Instant Pot smart appliances. The partnership enabled connected cooking experiences for Instant Pot's multi-cooker products. Recipe Import feature is now live for Instant Brands users.
- VorwerkcoreVorwerk, an international appliance manufacturer known for Thermomix, led Fresco's $20M Series B round and partnered to develop the KitchenOS platform for connected kitchen appliances across their product lines.
- VikingcoreViking partnered with Fresco for cloud-connected cooking experiences. The Viking Cloud app is powered by Fresco's KitchenOS, featuring guided cooking and ingredient presets for Viking Oven Connected appliances. Viking is featured in Fresco's full stack partner brands section.
- KenwoodcoreKenwood partnered with Fresco for connected cooking experiences through the Kenwood & Me app powered by Fresco's platform. The partnership includes guided cooking experiences and smart presets. Kenwood has been a partner since the platform shift (2016-2021).
- AGA LivingcoreAGA Living partnered with Fresco for connected cooking experiences, integrating Fresco's platform with AGA appliances as part of the cross-brand ecosystem.
- GE AppliancescoreGE Appliances partnered with Fresco for connected kitchen platform capabilities, integrating Fresco's KitchenOS into their appliance ecosystem for cross-brand cooking experiences.
- BoschcoreBosch partnered with Fresco for connected cooking platform integration, enabling cross-brand interoperability with Fresco's ecosystem. Bosch has been a partner since the platform shift period (2016-2021).
- LG ElectronicscoreLG Electronics partnered with Fresco for connected cooking experiences as part of the cross-brand ecosystem. LG is listed among Fresco's trusted global appliance brand partners.
- ElectroluxcoreElectrolux partnered with Fresco for connected cooking platform integration as part of the growing ecosystem of global appliance brands using KitchenOS.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Fresco competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Innit: Innit is a connected cooking platform that partners with appliance manufacturers and grocery retailers to deliver guided cooking experiences. Closest direct competitor to Fresco, with similar B2B platform model serving appliance OEMs and food retailers.
- SideChef: SideChef provides a smart kitchen platform with recipe guidance and appliance integration, partnering with appliance brands and retailers. Comparable to Fresco in offering cross-brand guided cooking with embedded appliance control.
- Chefling: Chefling built a smart kitchen management app with appliance integration capabilities. Directly comparable as a smaller, focused player in the connected cooking platform space.
Broad incumbents
- BSH Hausgeräte (Home Connect): BSH (Bosch and Siemens home appliances) operates the Home Connect platform for connected appliances across its brands. A larger incumbent appliance platform that overlaps with Fresco's OEM integrations but is brand-owned rather than neutral.
- GE Appliances (SmartHQ / Haier): GE Appliances, owned by Haier, operates the SmartHQ connected platform across its appliance portfolio. A broad incumbent appliance maker with its own IoT platform; notable because GE Appliances is also a Fresco partner.
- Whirlpool (Yummly): Whirlpool acquired Yummly to bring guided cooking capabilities to its connected appliances. A major appliance manufacturer with a brand-owned cooking platform, comparable to Fresco's OEM partnerships but vertically integrated rather than neutral.
- Google (Google Home / Assistant): Google's Home ecosystem provides voice and app control for connected appliances across brands. A broad incumbent voice/IoT platform that competes at the orchestration layer where Fresco's cross-brand interoperability plays.
- Amazon (Alexa Smart Home): Amazon's Alexa ecosystem orchestrates connected appliances and provides cooking guidance via voice and app. A broad incumbent IoT platform whose appliance interoperability ambitions overlap with Fresco's neutral platform positioning.
Emerging players
- Tovala: Tovala combines a smart oven with a meal delivery and guided cooking platform. An emerging player with partial overlap — operates its own connected cooking experience rather than licensing to OEMs, but validates the market for AI-guided cooking.
- Hestan Smart Cooking: Hestan (parent of Cusinart) developed the Hestan Cue smart cooking system with temperature-sensing pans and guided cooking app. An emerging player in connected cooking with hardware + software approach, partial overlap with Fresco's AI-guided cooking vision.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Fresco social profiles
Digital presenceFresco compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Fresco financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fresco leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Fresco funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds13 records
Investors19 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fresco M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Fresco
What does Fresco do?
Fresco licenses its proprietary KitchenOS platform to global appliance manufacturers, enabling them to embed connected cooking capabilities—AI-powered guided cooking, recipe management, appliance control, and cross-brand interoperability—into their smart kitchen products. The company offers three partnership paths: Fresco App Only (cross-brand app), Branded App Experience (fully white-labeled iOS/Android apps), and Any App or Screen (SDK/API integration). Customers include Panasonic, Instant Pot, Viking, Kenwood, Bosch, LG, Electrolux, and Middleby.
Is Fresco a public or private company?
Fresco is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Fresco founded?
Fresco was founded in 2012. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Fresco based?
Fresco is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does Fresco make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Platform Licensing (KitchenOS) is the primary driver. The others are OEM Partnership Fees and content Services.
Who are Fresco's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Innit, SideChef and Chefling. Broad incumbents are BSH Hausgeräte (Home Connect), GE Appliances (SmartHQ / Haier), Whirlpool (Yummly), Google (Google Home / Assistant) and Amazon (Alexa Smart Home). Emerging players are Tovala and Hestan Smart Cooking.
Does Fresco have an API?
Yes. Fresco offers a Developer Platform with Mobile SDKs, APIs for key platform capabilities, and Cloud-to-cloud integrations for brands with established digital ecosystems that want to extend Fresco capabilities. The Developer Platform is designed for brands who want flexibility and control, allowing integration of Fresco features into their own apps, appliance UIs, or platforms.
What industry is Fresco in?
Fresco's product category is Smart Kitchen IoT Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACADAF, Specialty Kitchen Appliances Retail (Sous Vide, Dehydrators, Ice Cream). Its NAICS code is 335210 and its SIC code is 3634.