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Presto Automation sold to group of venture capital investors and receives $18 million investmentPresto Automation sold to group of venture capital investors and receives $18 million investment

The Voice AI and automation company put its assets up for sale in September 2024

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

January 7, 2025

2 Min Read
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Presto

Foodservice artificial intelligence company Presto Automation announced the sale of its assets to a group of venture capital investors led by Remus Capital for an undisclosed amount, along with “an injection of $18M of new capital by all new stakeholders.”

Presto Automation first announced that the technology company was putting itself up for sale last September boosted by an injection of cash from Presto’s investors, led by Metropolitan Partners Group.

With the successful auction of assets concluded on Dec. 3, Presto is being taken private (after going public in 2022 following a SPAC merger) and will now be known as Presto Phoenix. Although under new ownership, the company will retain its Presto Voice platform, technology, and team, while focusing on expanding its voice AI technology to more foodservice operators.

“We are excited to begin this new chapter,” Gee Lefevre, CEO of Presto, said in a statement. “The transition to a private company with a sustainable capital structure and the influx of new capital gives us the flexibility to accelerate our growth.”

Under new ownership, Presto unveiled new digital branding, with a renewed focus on leading the market in voice automation solutions. Presto is not the only voice AI solution out there. Last July, two of Presto’s major competitors — ConverseNow and Valyant AI — joined forces when ConverseNow acquired Valyant AI.

Related:Tech Tracker: Can technology fix mobile pickup chaos at coffee and salad chains?

With the new influx of cash from its new owners, Presto intends to become the number one option as voice AI continues to be one of the top technology solution options for operators. 

“We intend to win the QSR Voice AI market, given we’re the only player combining a market-leading product with deep restaurant industry expertise, and doing so with several expanding customers. We believe every drive-thru chain in America can benefit from the magic of Presto's AI in 2025.”      

Contact Joanna at [email protected]

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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