What Sorting Robotics does

Sorting Robotics, headquartered in Van Nuys, California with manufacturing operations in Los Angeles, builds industrial automation systems and custom robotics targeted at cannabis and hemp manufacturers. Its product portfolio centers on automated pre-roll infusion (Jiko, launched 2020 as the first automated pre-roll infusion system on the market, and Jiko+, released 2023 for high-viscosity concentrates like rosin), automated kief coating (Stardust, with Stardust 2.0 announced at MJBizCon 2025), vape cartridge filling (Omni-Filler), and an all-natural industrial pre-roll adhesive (MoonGlue) launched in July 2025. The hardware is supported by LAKA production analytics software, which is bundled across all machines and integrates with customers' WMS, MES, ERP, and METRC systems. Technical differentiators include patented infusion architecture, computer-vision-based quality control, custom silicone-padded end-effectors with smart pressure sensors, and engineering pedigree drawn from former NASA engineers.

The company sells primarily through an enterprise field-sales motion with demo-driven evaluation, custom integration proposals, and pilot programs, complemented by an e-commerce storefront for parts and MoonGlue consumables. Pricing is quote-based, with multi-year contract cadences for capital equipment and unit pricing by the gallon for MoonGlue. End customers include cannabis producers and manufacturers, white-label and contract manufacturers, multi-state operators, and craft and mid-size producers, with a stated intent to extend custom robotics integration services into aerospace, logistics, healthcare, agriculture, electronics, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, automotive, and construction verticals. The company is privately held, backed by Y Combinator with prior seed participation from Night Owl Ventures and Splash Capital, and secured $2 million in debt financing from Kiso Capital and Prospeq in November 2023.

Name

Sorting Robotics

Legal name

Sorting Robotics Inc.

Website

https://sortingrobotics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sorting Robotics builds industrial automation systems for cannabis manufacturers, including automated pre-roll infusion (Jiko/Jiko+), kief coating (Stardust), vape filling (Omni-Filler), MoonGlue consumables, and LAKA production analytics, sold to licensed producers and white-label operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Van Nuys

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales (Automation Machines): Sale of capital equipment including Jiko, Jiko+, Stardust, Omni-Filler, and custom robotics systems. Customers purchase machines outright for deployment in their facilities. The sales team handles custom quotes based on facility requirements.
2. Consumables (MoonGlue): MoonGlue industrial pre-roll adhesive sold by the gallon exclusively to producers. Flavored and unflavored variants available. Recurring revenue stream from consumable supplies used in automated production lines.
3. Custom Integration and Consulting Services: End-to-end robotics integration services including consultation, custom design, installation, training, and ongoing support. Professional services revenue from tailoring automation solutions to specific facility layouts and production requirements.
4. LAKA Software (Production Analytics): Real-time production monitoring and analytics software bundled with all Sorting Robotics solutions. Included with machine purchase; may have upgrade or standalone potential.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sorting Robotics designs, manufactures, and sells industrial automation systems purpose-built for cannabis and hemp manufacturers. Its product lineup includes automated kief-coating machines (Stardust), pre-roll infusion systems (Jiko, Jiko+), vape cartridge filling systems (Omni-Filler), and a foundational robotics platform (Telti), complemented by consumable adhesives (MoonGlue) and the LAKA production analytics software. The company also offers custom robotics integration and consulting services for cannabis producers.

Product overview

Sorting Robotics offers a platform-plus-modules product architecture centered on cannabis manufacturing automation. The core product lineup includes Jiko (automated infused pre-roll infusion system, launched 2020), Jiko+ (hash hole/donut joint infusion, launched 2023), and Stardust (automated kief coating system). These are complemented by consumables like MoonGlue adhesive and software like LAKA production monitoring. The company also provides custom robotics integration and consulting services for facilities seeking tailored automation solutions. The products share a common software layer (LAKA) for production analytics and can integrate with WMS, MES, and ERP systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jiko: Automated infused pre-roll infusion system - the first automated pre-roll infusion system brought to market in 2020. Infuses up to 1,000 joints per hour with precision dosing control down to 0.05 grams.
• Jiko+
• Stardust
• MoonGlue
• Omni
• Telti
• LAKA

Products and services

• Stardust Automated kief-coating machine for pre-rolls that applies kief, bubble hash, THCa diamonds, and other powdered concentrates to cones, straight tubes, and blunts at up to 1,500 joints per hour. The only machine on Earth that automates kief coating, designed for licensed cannabis producers.
• Jiko Automated pre-roll infusion system that infuses distillate, rosin, and other concentrates into pre-rolls at 1,000 joints per hour with precision dosing control down to 0.05 grams. The first automated pre-roll infusion system ever brought to market, designed for licensed cannabis producers.
• Jiko+ Automated hash-hole (donut) infusion system engineered for high-viscosity concentrates like rosin. Infuses up to 1,200 joints per hour with advanced heat control for smooth, accurate dosing and consistent shape, depth, and placement batch after batch. Designed for premium cannabis brands.
• MoonGlue All-natural industrial pre-roll adhesive for commercial manufacturing. Tasteless, odorless, vegan, and formulated to work with all wrap types while reducing bruising during production. Available in flavored variants (Horchata, Blue Razz, Apples & Bananas, Strawberry, Maui Wowie). Sold by the gallon exclusively to cannabis producers.
• Omni-Filler Automated vape cartridge filling system that automates the filling process for vape cartridges, increasing speed and accuracy in cannabis vape manufacturing. Designed for licensed cannabis producers.
• Telti Foundational Robotics System Foundational robotics model system capable of unstructured assembly, built for unstructured environments and particularly suitable for cannabis industry applications. Represents the company's expansion into general-purpose robotics.
• Custom Robotics Integration Services End-to-end custom robotics integration services for cannabis manufacturers, including consultation, custom design and prototyping, professional installation, seamless automation integration, testing, training, and ongoing support. Designed for facilities seeking tailored automation solutions.
• Robotics Consulting Services Robotics and automation consulting tailored specifically for cannabis producers, including workflow assessment, strategic automation planning, seamless integration support, training, and ongoing support. Includes expertise in METRC compliance and ERP integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Most customers recover their investment in under 12 months through higher output, lower labor, and new premium SKUs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability5 records

Feature9 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Vita-Pack Pro: Specializes in automated pre-roll and packaging equipment for the cannabis industry, including cone-filling machines and pre-roll automation lines. Directly comparable to Sorting Robotics because both sell capital equipment that automates cannabis pre-roll manufacturing workflows to licensed producers.

Broad incumbents

• ABB: Global industrial robotics and automation leader serving discrete and process manufacturing. Comparable as a broad incumbent that supplies the kind of mechatronics, vision systems, and control software that Sorting Robotics builds into its cannabis-specific cells.
• KUKA: Major industrial robot and automation systems manufacturer used across automotive, electronics, and consumer goods production. Relevant as a potential future competitor or technology supplier to Sorting Robotics' precision assembly applications.
• Fanuc: One of the largest industrial robotics manufacturers worldwide, with deep penetration in CNC and high-throughput factory automation. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose robotics platform could be adapted for cannabis manufacturing at scale.
• Universal Robots: Leading cobot (collaborative robot) maker used for light-duty assembly, packaging, and machine tending. Comparable because Sorting Robotics' end-effectors and pick-and-place logic overlap with Universal Robots' use cases in flexible manufacturing.
• Stäubli: Swiss-based industrial robotics and mechatronics specialist with strength in high-precision assembly and clean-environment applications. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose precision robotics technology overlaps with Sorting Robotics' infused pre-roll dosing.
• Rockwell Automation: Global industrial automation and control software provider whose control systems and analytics layer is comparable to Sorting Robotics' LAKA production monitoring software bundled across its machines.
• Yaskawa: Major industrial robot and motion control manufacturer used across welding, assembly, and packaging. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose motion control and robotics technology could be deployed into cannabis automation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sorting Robotics