AdapTronics Raises €3.15M to Scale Electro‑Adhesive Robotics Technology Across Europe

AdapTronics, an Italian deep‑tech robotics startup spun out of the Università di Bologna in 2022, has secured €3.15 million in a funding round that investors say will accelerate the company’s industrialisation, expand its production capabilities and help scale commercial efforts across Italy and Europe. Founded by Lorenzo Agostini (CEO), Camilla Conti (COO) and Rocco Vertechy (R&D Lead), AdapTronics is developing electro‑adhesive gripping technologies designed to redefine how robots grasp and manipulate objects in sectors ranging from industrial automation and logistics to space operations.

The latest funding round was led by 360 Capital, a prominent European venture capital firm focused on deep tech and transformative industrial technologies. Participating in the investment were Galaxia, the aerospace technology transfer hub created by CDP Venture Capital’s Tech Transfer fund, and Obloo Ventures, an existing backer that supported AdapTronics in its 2023 pre‑seed round.

AdapTronics has drawn attention for its proprietary Electro‑Active Adhesive Layer (EAAL) technology, which uses electrostatic forces and integrated tactile feedback to give robotic systems a highly versatile “grip” that can adapt to objects of varying shapes, sizes and materials without relying on traditional pneumatic, magnetic or mechanical systems. The EAAL system operates with rapid activation and release times — in under 10 milliseconds — and delivers up to 1,000 times greater energy efficiency than many conventional robotic grippers, according to the company.

The design also prioritises simplicity and cost‑efficiency: the gripper consists of two main components — an electronic control module and a replaceable gripping unit — which together reduce both operational complexity and maintenance costs. This combination of performance, adaptability and simplicity gives AdapTronics a competitive edge in markets where industrial automation demands precision, speed and flexibility.

The funding will help AdapTronics establish a pilot production plant, strengthen its organisational infrastructure and deepen its footprint in European markets just as customer demand for advanced robotic manipulation solutions continues to rise. The company’s technology has potential applications well beyond traditional manufacturing lines, with strategic relevance in logistics, packaging and even orbital operations such as satellite servicing or debris removal in space environments.

CEO Lorenzo Agostini described the investment as a sign of investors’ confidence in AdapTronics’ vision of a deep‑tech company capable of enabling technologies across multiple sectors. He said the new capital will support the rapid advancement of technological innovation while positioning the company for international commercial expansion.

AdapTronics’ journey to this milestone reflects its strong academic and research foundations: the company emerged from extensive scientific work in electromechanical transduction, advanced materials and digital printing techniques, translating more than two decades of research into a commercially scalable platform. Today, the operating team includes highly skilled engineers and specialists whose expertise guides day‑to‑day development and production efforts.

The company also completed incubation through ESA BIC Turin, a program run by the Innovative Companies Incubator of Politecnico di Torino (I3P) in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). Participation in this ecosystem helped AdapTronics refine its technology and business strategy, laying the groundwork for subsequent funding success.

Investors and industry observers alike see AdapTronics’ technology as a potential game‑changer for robotic manipulation standards. By enabling robotic systems to handle a broader range of objects with greater speed and efficiency, the EAAL technology could help companies improve throughput, lower costs and tackle tasks once considered too complex or delicate for automated systems.

The latest funding round is a critical step in AdapTronics’ growth trajectory, as it builds out manufacturing capacity and prepares to meet expanding market demand. With backing from venture capital and deep‑tech investors, the company is poised to contribute to the next generation of robotic automation — helping to drive innovation in industries where precision, adaptability and energy efficiency are increasingly essential.