Finnish Hyperion Robotics closes $7.4M to scale 3D-printed concrete components for European infrastructure projects
Europe needs to replace and expand its infrastructure on a large scale, while also addressing workforce deficits and decarbonisation goals that apply to both operations and supply chains. The concrete components that go into this infrastructure are typically manufactured using methods that have not changed substantially in decades: energy-intensive and produced far from where they will be used. Transport adds cost and carbon emissions. The structural inefficiency of manufacturing infrastructure components is one of the less-discussed constraints on how quickly Europe can build.
Finnish technology firm Hyperion Robotics, co-founded by Fernando De los Ríos, Ashish Mohite and Henry Unterreiner, has created a robotic microfactory platform that uses 3D printing and artificial intelligence to manufacture low-carbon concrete components. At the heart of the company’s operations is its 'Forge' software, which seamlessly merges structural design, regulatory compliance, robot instructions and factory workflows into a single interface. The software calculates the exact geometry required to design lightweight structures that use up to 75% less material than traditional solid blocks, and then 3D prints them using eco-friendly concrete mixes. By producing components locally, the platform can speed up production by up to three times and reduce carbon emissions by up to 70%.
Hyperion has secured $7.4 million in a growth funding round co-led by Course Corrected and the European Innovation Council Fund, with participation from RE Ventures and existing investors such as Lifeline Ventures, Übermorgen Ventures, and PC Rettig Impact & Co. The fresh capital will be used to support the launch of the UK facility, refine the underlying software platform and expand the company's presence across the wider European market.
Sources: Hyperion Robotics | Crunchbase
Founders: Fernando De los Rios, Ashish Mohite, Henry Unterreiner