ANYbotics, a global innovator in autonomous robotic inspection, has secured $60 million in new funding, raising its total to over $130 million. Led by Qualcomm Ventures and Supernova Invest, the investment supports U.S. expansion and global scaling to meet rising demand for its cutting-edge industrial inspection technologies.
Founded in 2016, ANYbotics is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. The company specializes in autonomous robotic inspection solutions with a focus on enhancing safety, efficiency, and scalability in industrial operations. It was co-founded by Dr. Péter Fankhauser, who serves as the CEO, alongside a team of robotics experts.
Growing rapidly, the company already employs over 200 professionals from more than 35 countries.
One of its most impressive developments to date is the ANYmal, a four-legged robotic system designed to navigate and inspect complex industrial environments autonomously. By collecting and analyzing data in real-time, ANYmal addresses many of the challenges faced in “heavy” industries such as energy, chemicals, and mining.
ANYbotics aims to close the gap between traditional manual inspections and the limitations of static sensors by “Creating a workforce of autonomous robots.” Through its innovative robotics, it’s well on its way to creating scalable, cost-effective solutions that ensure comprehensive facility coverage.
As Dr. Frankhauser put it, “At ANYbotics, we believe in teaming up humans with autonomous robots, where the robot is the coworker to take over repetitive and dangerous tasks.”
Itself a global intelligent computing powerhouse, Qualcomm is no stranger to the cutting-edge in automation.
Founded in 2000, Qualcomm Ventures is the venture capital division of Qualcomm Incorporated. It is headquartered in San Diego, California, and has satellite offices worldwide. This corporate venture fund supports over 150 active portfolio companies and has achieved more than 20 notable exits exceeding $1 billion, including companies like Waze, Fitbit, and Cruise Automation.
Focused on early—to late-stage investments, Qualcomm Ventures provides funding and expertise in key sectors such as 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), connected automotive, artificial intelligence (AI), and enterprise solutions.
It also brings with it Qualcomm’s extensive industry knowledge and connections.
Based in Europe, Supernova Invest is a multi-stage venture capital firm managing €800 million in assets. The firm focuses on providing strategic capital and expertise to startups in digital technologies, industrial innovation, healthcare, and cleantech sectors.
Supernova Invest has supported numerous high-growth deep tech companies, including notable names like Soitec, Alice & Bob, and Unseenlabs. Its track record includes 25 successful exits through IPOs and mergers and acquisitions.
With a team of 20 experienced investors, the firm specializes in navigating complex deep tech business models and providing tailored support in intellectual property, global expansion, and industrial scaling strategies.
Through its partnerships with innovative startups like ANYbotics, Supernova Invest aims to foster disruptive technologies and scale them to global markets.
On December 12, 2024, ANYbotics announced the successful closure of a $60 million funding round. Led by Qualcomm Ventures and Supernova Invest, this latest investment brings the Zurich-based robotics firm’s total funding to over $130 million.
According to the company, the additional capital will be instrumental in scaling operations, particularly in the United States, and enhancing its AI-driven robotic inspection capabilities.
This funding marks a strategic step for ANYbotics, which recently opened a Silicon Valley office to better serve North American clients. Industry giants like BP, Equinor, and Petrobras are among its clientele in this market.
The investment will also go toward continued advancements in its flagship product, ANYmal, including upgrades to its GPU-powered AI analytics for anomaly detection and real-time asset monitoring.
Dr. Péter Fankhauser, Co-Founder and CEO, emphasized the significance of the deal, stating, “This additional funding allows us to scale globally, enhance our AI-driven capabilities, and continue to deliver unmatched value to our customers across industries.”
He also stated that ANYbotics was “thrilled to have the backing of world-class investors.”
Michel Glezer, Director of Qualcomm Ventures Europe, praised the company’s impact thus far, noting “ANYbotics is transforming industrial operations with innovative AI-powered robotics” and “Their ability to deliver proven solutions for critical challenges in global industries positions them as a leader in the robotics market.”
Since its inception, ANYbotics has successfully attracted a steady flow of funding from both government and private sources to advance its cutting-edge robotics technology and support its global expansion.
Here’s a concise overview of its funding history:
With a rapidly growing presence and trusted partnerships with industry leaders like AWS and NVIDIA, ANYbotics is redefining industrial inspections worldwide. Its commitment to innovation and global expansion positions the company for a future where autonomous robotics drive safety, efficiency, and sustainability across critical industries.