SAEKI launches from stealth with $2.3M funding to revolutionise manufacturing with robots-as-a-service
August 17, 2023
SAEKI Robotics AG, based in Lupfig, Switzerland, has launched from stealth, announcing a $2.3 million seed funding round. The startup aims to create fully automated manufacturing plants that use industrial robots and Additive Manufacturing technology to produce a wide range of products, from aircraft wings to construction site installations.
The funding round was led by Wingman Ventures, with participation from Vento Ventures, Getty Capital, and angel investors. SAEKI, founded in 2021 by Andrea Perissinotto, Oliver Harley, and Matthias Leschok, works with the architectural design, engineering design, and construction services industry to bring complex designs to life whilst reducing CO2 emissions.
Andrea Perissinotto, Co-Founder of SAEKI, commented, “From what we build underground, to what we build on earth, to what goes to space, from the construction to aerospace industries, there is a need for large, one-off (custom) components, that are mostly used once a couple of times at most, then scrapped. Manufacturing these parts, from the moulds to make concrete elements to the tooling required to build composite rockets, is labour intensive, has long lead times, and is very expensive. Moreover, these factors delay hardware iteration to get to the final product.”
“For vast swathes of industry it’s not practical to own and manage robots that can create what you need quickly. We are at the forefront of addressing this and democratising access to the best tools and creating productive, sustainable and effective outcomes for industry. Long lead times for large components will be a thing of the past and we can provide faster and cost effective iterations. Our comprehensive approach sets us apart – it’s not just about being faster or cheaper; it’s about providing a complete solution that caters to the entire spectrum of challenges, which is resonating well with our customers,” Perissinotto added.
SAEKI is constructing its first production hub, which will serve as the model for future expansion. In an industry hindered by manual processes, the company looks to take on the challenge of addressing manufacturing issues, acting as a catalyst and enabler for significant growth and progress across the industry.
The production hub will offer industrial robots built by SAEKI. These robots will combine several digital manufacturing methods, including Additive Manufacturing, milling, inspection, and creating an all-in-one low-waste production process using recyclable materials. The robots will act as micro-factories, self-contained units capable of performing all manufacturing steps. They can be easily deployed for localised manufacturing.
In addition, SAEKI will provide a quoting platform tailored to the customers’ business needs. This platform aims to remove the complex and opaque approach currently present in the market.
Edouard Treccani, Principal at Wingman Ventures, shared, “We’re thrilled to join forces with SAEKI as lead investor of their pre-seed round. Their groundbreaking approach to distributed Additive Manufacturing has the power to revolutionise sectors from aerospace to construction through disruptive tech, local production and sustainable materials. We look forward to supporting them as they embark on their mission to create yet another deep-tech champion from Switzerland.”
Matthias Leschok, Co-Founder at SAEKI added, “In ten years from now SAEKI envisions lights-out factories filled with SAEKI microfactories autonomously producing complex, material- and weight-saving formwork for the construction industry, fixtures and tooling for super-sonic jets or composite moulds for the next generation formula one cars. SAEKI’s mission is to empower design freedom to be efficient and sustainable – irrespective of the final product.”
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