Kewazo is advancing automation in heavy industry and raising fresh capital to do so. The startup develops the Liftbot with its flagship product, a lifting robot that automates material transport in scaffolding construction, increasing workplace safety and reducing accidents.
The current funding round is supported by a broad consortium of international investors. These include Chevron Technology Ventures, Asahi Kasei, Benson Capital, Mana Ventures, Gaingels, Atlas Ventures, as well as lead investor Schooner Capital and existing backers True Ventures and Cybernetix Ventures. Overall, the company’s total funding volume increases to around 30 million euros (35 million dollars). Kewazo does not disclose the exact amount of the current round, but based on previous investments, it is likely to be between 13 and 14 million euros.
Liftbot in industrial use
According to the company, the Liftbot is already deployed at more than 20 industrial sites in North America and Europe. These include refineries, petrochemical plants, chemical complexes, and power plants. Operators replace cranes and manual processes with the technology, increasing efficiency and predictability in maintenance work and investment projects.
At the same time, Kewazo is opening up new data sources through the robot’s deployment. The startup collects structured operational data from hard-to-reach environments, laying the foundation for its physical AI platform. This platform creates transparency and enables further automation in the future.
The new capital will be invested in expanding operational capacity, extending to additional workflows, and deeper integration at existing customer sites.
“Our customers hear about robotics, but rarely see robots in action in their facilities. Kewazo is changing that. We help industrial operators introduce automation by creating immediate value in vertical material transport, and many customers are already asking us to cover additional workflows. With the support of Schooner Capital, Chevron Technology Ventures, Asahi Kasei, and our existing investors, we are accelerating this transformation”,
says Artem Kuchukov, co-founder and CEO of Kewazo.
Kewazo inspires investors
Alexandra Manick, managing director at Schooner Capital, comments:
“Robotics and automation are transforming industrial processes, reflecting the deployment of AI across the entire economy. Kewazo is perfectly positioned to lead in heavy industry, as evidenced by the team’s technical expertise and strong commercial execution. We are proud to lead this funding round and support the company’s continued expansion and vision.”
And George Rovegno, investment associate at Benson Capital, adds:
“The Gulf Coast has been the engine of American energy leadership for generations, and it is critical to equip the region’s workforce with the most advanced tools available to keep our industrial backbone safe, efficient, and globally competitive. That is exactly what Kewazo does. The company is bringing practical, proven robotics into refineries and petrochemical plants and is already making a real impact. We are excited to support a company that not only talks about the future of industrial processes, but actively enables it in critical infrastructure along the entire Gulf Coast.”
