KEWAZO Raises $35 Million for Industrial Robotics & AI

KEWAZO, a trailblazer in automating complex industrial environments, has successfully closed a $35 million funding round. This significant capital infusion propels the company's mission to deploy advanced robotics and artificial intelligence solutions across the heavy industry sector, a market increasingly prioritizing operational efficiency and safety enhancements. The latest funding brings the company's total raised capital to $35 million, underscoring strong investor confidence in its disruptive technology.

The investment was spearheaded by Schooner Capital, with substantial participation from strategic partners including Chevron Technology Ventures, Asahi Kasei, Benson Capital, Mana Ventures, Gaingels, and Atlas Ventures. Key existing backers, True Ventures and Cybernetix Ventures, also reaffirmed their commitment to KEWAZO's growth trajectory. This broad coalition of investors highlights the widespread recognition of KEWAZO's potential to reshape industrial operations.

At the heart of KEWAZO's offering is its flagship product, LIFTBOT. This innovative lifting robot is engineered to replace traditional, often hazardous, manual material handling and crane operations within demanding industrial settings. Already operational at over 20 sites across North America and Europe, LIFTBOT is making a tangible impact in sectors such as refineries, petrochemical facilities, chemical plants, and power generation sites. Its deployment is directly contributing to improved safety records, heightened operational efficiency, and more predictable project timelines for critical maintenance and capital expenditure initiatives.

Beyond its hardware solutions, KEWAZO is cultivating a sophisticated Physical AI platform. By gathering structured operational data from its deployments in challenging, high-barrier industrial environments, the company is building a rich dataset. This data is instrumental in driving future automation advancements and fostering greater transparency throughout industrial workflows. The insights gleaned are crucial for optimizing processes and identifying new opportunities for robotic integration.

The newly acquired funds are earmarked for several strategic objectives. KEWAZO plans to significantly expand its deployment capacity, allowing it to serve a larger client base and address a wider range of industrial challenges. Furthermore, the company intends to broaden the application of its robotics solutions to encompass additional workflows within existing customer sites, deepening its integration and value proposition. This expansion is critical as the demand for automation solutions in the energy and materials sectors continues its upward climb, driven by a need for enhanced productivity and risk mitigation.

“Our clients are increasingly seeking tangible automation solutions, and KEWAZO delivers immediate value in vertical material movement, fundamentally changing how they approach operations,” stated Artem Kuchukov, Co-Founder & CEO of KEWAZO. “With the backing of our esteemed investors, we are accelerating our ability to meet this demand and extend our reach into new operational areas.” Alexandra Manick, Managing Director at Schooner Capital, added, “KEWAZO is exceptionally positioned to lead the heavy industry automation wave, demonstrating both technical prowess and strong commercial traction. We are thrilled to support their ambitious vision.”

The investment aligns with broader industry trends where robotics and AI are becoming indispensable tools for modernizing industrial infrastructure. Companies like KEWAZO are at the forefront, providing practical, data-driven solutions that enhance safety, reduce costs, and improve the overall competitiveness of critical industries. The successful closure of this round signals a robust future for industrial automation and KEWAZO's pivotal role within it.