Advanced robotics firm Launchpad has closed a £8.2 million Series A round, including a £1.5 million investment from the Scottish National Investment Bank, to accelerate the development of its technology.

The investment follows Launchpad’s opening of a new R&D hub in Edinburgh last year, with the Scottish capital singled out for its access to a highly skilled workforce, as well as the connections to university AI research and expertise.

“Launchpad is fast becoming a leader in robotics, with its new R&D centre reinforcing Scotland’s reputation for innovation,” said Anthony Kelly, investment director at the Scottish National Investment Bank.

“We’re backing a high-calibre team whose cost-efficient solution shows strong potential to scale across multiple industries.” 

Joining the Bank in its investment are VC firms Lavrock Ventures and Squadra Ventures, as well as the venture funding arms of prominent industry firms Ericsson and Lockheed Martin, drawn by the company’s promise to re-imagine the manufacturing sector.

Launchpad’s mission is to transform manufacturing by combining AI and advanced robotics to support critical automation strategies, and help firms build products ‘faster, smarter, and more affordably’.  

The startup is dedicated to developing autonomous assembly systems and user-friendly AI-powered software that enable the delivery of high-quality products in record time, and without breaking the bank.

Launchpad claims that its system can cut automation time and expense in half compared to traditional robot installations, especially valuable for smaller firms that cannot afford internal automation and robotics expertise on limited budgets. 

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“Launchpad has built a technology that is helping manufacturers manage the optimal integration of humans and robots,” said Jon Quick, CEO of Launchpad.

“We see AI tools, such as those being pioneered by Launchpad, as reimagining the manufacturing industry and revitalising local economies.”

The LA-based firm has already enjoyed public support from Scotland, with Scottish Enterprise awarding the company a £2 million grant towards the ongoing development of its proprietary robotics technologies.