• Gravis Robotics

  Led · Accelerator · May 2023

  Gravis Robotics, spun out of ETH Zurich, develops software and AI that transforms excavators and other heavy construction machines into autonomous, driverless equipment. Its systems ingest physical inputs and machine telemetry to enable high-speed responses to varying subterranean forces and soil mechanics. The startup has positioned its technology to operate on real job sites with precision beyond manual control. Financially, Gravis disclosed a $23 million raise in November before completing a $200 million Series A led solely by SoftBank. The company says it will use the new capital to scale its autonomous heavy machinery globally. SoftBank characterized the investment as part of its focus on the fast-growing robotics sector.

• 9T Labs

  Participated · Equity · Jan 2018

  9T Labs' Red Series hybrid technology platform combines simulation tools and 3D printing with compression moulding in matched metal dies to produce high-performance CFRTP parts for small-to-medium and thick sections at volumes of roughly 100–10,000 parts per year. The platform delivers rapid cycle times, high production rates, and strong repeatability, enabling parts that are stiffer, stronger, and lighter than metals and plastics. Customer engagements run from proof of concept and prototypes to limited series and onsite technology build-up for series production; the company closed about 24 new collaboration projects last year across advanced aerial mobility, luxury, exoskeletons, medical, and aerospace. 9T Labs also supplies commercial systems to research centers, universities, the metal-forming industry, and aerospace Tier1 suppliers. Headcount roughly doubled to 45 employees with new sales territory managers covering Europe and further hires planned to support growth. After a $17 million Series A, the company expects sales growth, establishment of a U.S. base, first commercial series production of parts using its patented Additive Fusion Technology by end of 2022, and plans to extend the technology toward applications above 100,000 parts per annum. 9T Labs builds a proprietary, integrated workflow that combines advanced software algorithms, 3D printing technology, and post-processing to mass-produce industry-grade carbon fiber composite parts. The company aims to make carbon fiber composites as accessible as ordinary metal materials by lowering lead times and production costs. It plans to finish development of its industrial 3D printing solution and scale up initial mass-manufacturing use cases with the new funding. The startup highlights the large addressable market, citing the established €72 billion fiber-composite industry. 9T Labs was founded in 2018 by Chester Houwink, Giovanni Cavolina, and Martin Eichenhofer and is based in Zurich. It is supported by the ESA BIC programme and recently added two industry veterans to its board to strengthen manufacturing and processing expertise. 9T Labs builds the CarbonKit, a plug-and-play retrofit kit that lets existing 3D printers (e.g., Ultimaker, Prusa) print continuous carbon fiber reinforced plastics by swapping the printing head. A companion web application prepares print jobs, controls printers and manages the manufacturing workflow. The CarbonKit is positioned as an entry-level system for makers, universities and R&D departments to explore high fiber-volume continuous fiber printing and to prototype jigs, fixtures, slender frame structures and local reinforcements. The company launched a limited beta test of the CarbonKit in February, with applications accepted through January 30th. 9T Labs says it will iteratively improve printing capabilities, introduce new material configurations and work with customers on tailored solutions for serial production of end-use components. In 2018 the company raised more than CHF 1 million from investors. 9T Labs builds 3D printers that directly process carbon-fiber composites to lower cost and increase flexibility for lightweight part manufacturing. The company targets industries constrained by current composite manufacturing costs and lead times, including automotive, aerospace, medical, satellites, drones and prosthetics. 9T Labs was incorporated on 19 January 2018 by ETH Zürich graduates Martin Eichenhofer, Giovanni Cavolina and Chester Houwink. The startup intends to iterate on its current product and expand its team with software and hardware engineers to meet additional market needs. It has been accepted into ESA’s Business Incubation Centre and will receive support for space applications. Recent corporate developments include seed funding and new board and advisory appointments to bolster execution.

No current team members are available.