Gregor Kolls (Filics): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Gregor Kolls is a prominent German entrepreneur best known as the co-founder and CEO of Filics, a pioneering robotics startup based in Munich. Filics specializes in developing autonomous robotic systems designed to revolutionize intralogistics, particularly in pallet handling and warehouse automation. Since its foundation in 2019 at the Technical University of Munich, Kolls has led the company through rapid growth and innovative breakthroughs that address pressing challenges in logistics such as space constraints, labor shortages, and efficiency bottlenecks. This article delves into key facts and dimensions of Gregor Kolls’ career, his company Filics, and their impact on the future of logistics automation.

1. Early Background and Education

Gregor Kolls studied at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), an institution known for its strong engineering and technology programs. It was during his academic tenure at TUM that Kolls, alongside his fellow co-founders, began developing the technological foundation that would later become Filics. This academic environment provided the technical expertise and innovative mindset necessary to break into the logistics robotics sector.

2. Founding of Filics

In 2019, Gregor Kolls co-founded Filics along with other TUM graduates. The company started with the vision to redefine pallet handling and optimize warehouse space through automation. Early stage development centered on creating compact, mobile robots that can operate autonomously while handling heavy loads up to 1.2 tonnes. Kolls’ leadership has been instrumental in shaping the company’s mission and guiding its growth trajectory.

3. Technological Innovation: The Filics Unit

One of Filics’ breakthrough products is the “Filics Unit,” consisting of two omnidirectional robots that work collaboratively to transport Euro pallets autonomously. Uniquely designed to completely drive under and through pallets and other load carriers, these robots maximize maneuverability and reduce required floor space by up to 30% in warehouses. This design addresses critical problems in logistics such as space scarcity and operational inefficiencies.

4. Industry Impact and Collaborations

Under Gregor Kolls’ direction, Filics has attracted the attention of major industry players such as Bosch, DHL Group, and the Nagel Group, who are currently testing its systems. This validates Filics’ solution as applicable to large-scale supply chains. Partnerships with such leaders signify the potential widespread adoption of Kolls’ innovations in intralogistics.

5. Major Funding and Growth Strategy

Filics secured a significant €13.5 million funding round in 2025, led by investors including Sandwater, Alven, F-LOG Ventures, and notably, the Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund. Kolls highlighted this capital infusion as a key step to scale their technology, enhance product development, and expand internationally in European markets by 2026. This funding milestone reflects investor confidence in Kolls and his company’s vision.

6. Addressing Workforce and Space Challenges

A core motivation behind Gregor Kolls’ work is overcoming the labor shortages and space constraints currently facing the logistics sector. Filics’ autonomous robots can replace manual pallet handling, reducing reliance on skilled workers and increasing workplace safety. Additionally, their ability to optimize warehouse storage space through compact design offers companies enhanced capacity utilization.

7. Vision for Future of Logistics Automation

Looking ahead, Kolls aims for Filics not only to transform pallet handling but also to automate processes such as truck loading fully. Filics plans to develop its robotics further to enable fully autonomous truck loading in under five minutes, highlighting Kolls’ ambition to push the boundaries of intralogistics automation and operational efficiency.

8. Leadership Style and Public Engagement

Gregor Kolls is recognized for his visionary leadership and commitment to innovation. His active engagement in industry forums, podcasts, and interviews, such as the Robotics in Industry podcast, allows him to share insights about logistics challenges and the transformative potential of robotics. This helps elevate awareness about warehouse automation trends and the role of startups like Filics.

9. Competitive Landscape

Filics operates in a competitive environment including frontrunners like GreyOrange, Third Wave Automation, and Agility Robotics. Despite this, under Kolls’ leadership, Filics has carved a niche through its unique double-runner robotic system and focus on space efficiency and scalability. Continuous innovation and funding position Filics as a strong contender in the robotics-driven logistics market.

10. Broader Implications of Filics’ Technology

The technologies developed by Gregor Kolls and Filics hold broader implications beyond operational efficiency. By enabling significant space savings and energy-efficient automation, their robots contribute to more sustainable warehouse operations. Additionally, by reducing physical strain on workers, these innovations could improve labor conditions and productivity, aligning with growing industry trends toward socially responsible automation.

Conclusion

Gregor Kolls exemplifies a new generation of technology entrepreneurs who blend academic innovation with practical industrial solutions. Through Filics, Kolls is actively reshaping the landscape of warehouse automation with cutting-edge robotics designed to address space, workforce, and efficiency challenges in logistics. As the company scales and expands internationally, the potential for their technology to redefine standard practices grows stronger. Kolls’ story is a compelling illustration of how visionary leadership and technical ingenuity can converge to transform an entire industry, inviting us to rethink the future of supply chains in an increasingly automated world.