Forging a future where technology serves humanity.
We want to create a future where automation technology intersects with one of humanity's most essential necessities – the need to nourish ourselves.
A reality where advanced robotics and AI systems autonomously craft quality meals on-demand, empowering equitable access to affordable sustenance anywhere.
Imagine a future where automation technology intersects with one of humanity's most essential necessities – the need to nourish ourselves. A reality where advanced robotics and AI systems autonomously
Imagine a future where automation technology intersects with one of humanity's most essential necessities – the need to nourish ourselves. A reality where advanced robotics and AI systems autonomously
Imagine a future where automation technology intersects with one of humanity's most essential necessities – the need to nourish ourselves. A reality where advanced robotics and AI systems autonomously
At Circus Group, we are pioneering global developments in on-demand autonomous food production. Everything from creation to production and operation, enabled by seamlessly integrated cutting-edge robotics and transformative AI technology.
With over 80 talented individuals and counting, our team is built on collaboration, curiosity, and a passion for innovation. We combine deep technical expertise with a people-first culture — where ideas are shared freely, challenges are tackled together, and every voice has an impact. Always driven and focused on building autonomous systems that bring our vision to life.
At Circus, we strive for the highest quality in everything we do – from robotics to user experience – driven by curiosity, bold thinking, and technical precision.
We're building technology that matters. Every team at Circus contributes to creating solutions with real-world relevance and long-term impact.
We believe that great ideas come from empowered individuals. At Circus, everyone is encouraged to take initiative and grow – both personally and professionally.
As a diverse and international team, we work together in a collaborative, inclusive environment where every perspective adds value and helps us move forward.
Founded in February 2022, by serial entrepreneur Nikolas Bullwinkel we initially started with the ambition to revolutionize the food service industry, by piloting a new ghost kitchen concept in Hamburg, Berlin, and Cologne, gaining deep insights into real-world kitchen operations, workflows, and process optimization.
Following the acquisition of Berlin-based robotics startup Aitme, we merged our intelligent kitchen infrastructure with Aitme’s robotics expertise. This enabled the launch of the first CA-1 prototypes in real-world environments, where firsthand operational data and user feedback fueled continuous product development.
In January 2024, we went public through our IPO—marking a major step forward in accelerating our mission to transform food service through robotics, software, and AI at scale.
Founded in 2021 by serial entrepreneur Nikolas Bullwinkel, Circus SE set out to rethink how food is prepared and served. Our mission: to simplify complex kitchen operations through intelligent technology and bring lasting change to the food service industry.
What started with a bold idea quickly turned into hands-on testing in real kitchen environments — always guided by our mission to build intelligent systems that make complex operations radically simpler.
Inspired by insights from Flink’s high-frequency operations and our hands-on experience in the food service industry, we began developing the first version of our CircusOS in 2021. Designed specifically to handle the complexity of modern kitchen workflows, the OS laid the foundation for intelligent process coordination, automation, and real-time kitchen orchestration.
After years of intensive research and development by the Aitme team, the first prototype of a fully autonomous cooking robot was brought to life — capable of preparing fresh meals on demand, with consistent quality and highest food safety standards. This breakthrough marked a new era in food robotics and laid the technological foundation for what would later become the CA-1.
Following the acquisition of Berlin-based robotics startup Aitme, we merged our intelligent kitchen infrastructure with Aitme’s robotics expertise. This enabled the launch of the first CA-1 prototypes in real-world environments, where firsthand operational data and user feedback fueled continuous product development.
After the successful launch of our first CA-1 prototypes, we entered a crucial phase of continuous testing and refinement. Real-world operations now serve as the foundation for improving performance, reliability, and user experience. Every insight from day-to-day usage feeds directly into product development, helping us optimize the system for large-scale deployment.
In January 2024, we went public through our IPO—marking a major step forward in accelerating our mission to transform food service through robotics, software, and AI at scale.
In 2024, we signed a manufacturing agreement with Celestica - a leading high-tech manufacturer with production sites in Europe, the US, and China. Enabling a rapid rollout and scalable operations. Celestica is trusted by global leaders such as Boeing, Nissan, Dell, IBM and Oracle.
With the acquisition of agentic AI startup Fully AI, we infuse intelligence into every layer of the Circus system—from guest interactions to operational workflows—enabling smarter, faster, and more personal experiences throughout.
In 2025, we launched the CA-1 Series 4 with major upgrades in efficiency, precision, and quality - marking a critical step toward full-scale rollout. Alongside it, we introduced the CA-M: a fully autonomous, mobile kitchen built for outdoor and remote environments, ready for deployment in even the most demanding conditions.
In September 2025, we will deliver the first CA-1 units to flagship clients such as REWE – one of Germany’s largest supermarket chains – marking a key milestone in bringing our autonomous kitchen technology into real-world environments
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We are aiming to ramping up mass production and scaling deployments across sectors such as defense, healthcare, mobility, and retail. Our focus is on continuously enhancing system capabilities while expanding internationally across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
We are partnering with global leaders from the food service and high-tech manufacturing industries.
Production partner
