About

Kriterion is an innovative AI-powered SaaS platform transforming restaurant chain management through real-time, data-driven decision support. By integrating POS data, it delivers predictive analytics, automated sales forecasting, and waste reduction insights in a single interface. Kriterion stands out by combining advanced machine learning with practical operational tools, enabling restaurant managers to act proactively rather than reactively. Its unique approach not only boosts profitability but also promotes sustainability and operational resilience.

Solution & Product

Kriterion is a web-based AI platform designed for multi-store restaurant operations, offering real-time insights and forecasting tools that simplify decision-making. The platform integrates directly with POS systems to analyze sales, costs, waste, and performance across all stores. Through intuitive dashboards, Kriterion enables users to monitor KPIs, simulate what-if scenarios, and receive alerts when operational inefficiencies arise. The product includes modules for sales forecasting, P&L breakdowns, store comparisons, and sustainability insights. What makes Kriterion unique is its ability to combine financial, operational, and environmental metrics in one centralized platform, tailored for the foodservice industry. Designed to be plug-and-play, the system is scalable, easy to deploy, and requires no technical background to use.

Innovation & Scalability

Kriterion is innovative in its integration of AI forecasting, real-time analytics, and sustainability metrics into a single, easy-to-use SaaS platform for restaurant chains. Unlike generic BI tools, Kriterion is purpose-built for foodservice operations, offering features like sales vs. waste correlation, store-level benchmarking, and what-if scenario simulation. Its modular architecture allows rapid scaling across multiple locations, while cloud deployment ensures seamless onboarding and low technical overhead. Kriterion’s innovation lies in transforming raw transactional data into proactive insights that drive profitability and reduce waste. The platform is scalable both vertically (adding features like mental health or supply chain modules) and horizontally (expanding to hotels, cafeterias, or retail food outlets).

Traction & achievements

Kriterion has already achieved meaningful early-stage traction in product development, team formation, and market validation. We have clearly defined our target segment and value proposition, and we have built the foundations of our MVP around data integration, operational visibility, analytics, forecasting, and decision support for SMEs, starting with the food service sector. We have assembled a complementary team combining business strategy, SME digitization, product design, full-stack development, and machine learning capabilities. On the market side, we have validated the problem through repeated discussions with business owners and industry stakeholders, confirming the need for a practical tool that goes beyond static reporting and helps operators make better day-to-day decisions. We have also secured access to the Microsoft ecosystem through the Microsoft ISV Success program, which supports our technical roadmap and go-to-market preparation. Pilot discussions with early adopters are currently underway.

Team & Why Us

Kriterion is backed by a multidisciplinary team with deep expertise in finance, commercial strategy, SME digitalization, and data science. The leadership team brings over two decades of experience in risk management, operations, and business transformation, ensuring strong domain insight. The platform is supported by a professor of data science specializing in AI scalability and by a senior full-stack engineer with experience in analytics and automation systems. Our strategy advisor network includes international startup mentors through Microsoft for Startups, supporting product scaling and AI architecture. This combination of industry, academic, and technical expertise uniquely positions Kriterion to build a high-impact, scalable solution for the restaurant sector. Our growth strategy is threefold: (1) Secure pilot launches with early adopter restaurant chains; (2) Scale through a subscription-based B2B model targeting multi-store food businesses in Greece and abroad; and (3) Expand platform features by incorporating modules on mental health, sustainability KPIs, and supply chain optimization. Our unique ability to combine profitability, operational clarity, and social impact sets us apart.

Funding Needs

Kriterion is seeking funding to scale its AI-powered platform that helps restaurant chains reduce waste, boost profitability, and promote sustainable operations. We aim to raise €300K–€500K to support a 18–24 month roadmap focused on three goals: (1) completing pilot implementations with early adopters, (2) enhancing our AI and sustainability modules, and (3) launching commercially across Greece and select EU markets. Funds will be used for tech development, go-to-market execution, and impact measurement tools. As a mission-driven startup, we are especially interested in partnering with investors who value environmental sustainability, digital innovation, and SME resilience in the foodservice sector.