Adaptronics, a deep tech startup specializing in the development of electro-adhesive robotic manipulation solutions for industrial and space applications, has announced the closing of a €3.15 million round. The transaction was led by 360 Capital, a European venture capital firm. Galaxia, the Technology Transfer Hub for Aerospace created on the initiative of CDP Venture Capital’s Tech Transfer Fund together with Obloo Ventures, already an investor in the pre-seed round in 2023, also participated in the investment. The capital raised will be used to support the growth of the company, enhance production capacity and promote commercial expansion in Italy and Europe, consolidating the organizational structure of the young company.

Founded in 2022 as a spin-off of the University of Bologna, Adaptronics was born from the vision of CEO Lorenzo Agostini, COO Camilla Conti and R&D Lead Rocco Vertechy with the aim of revolutionizing the way robots grasp and interact with objects, both on Earth and in space. In 2024, the startup completed the ESA BIC Turin incubation program, managed by I3P in collaboration with ESA, the Italian Space Agency, Politecnico di Torino and the LINKS Foundation.

Adaptronics aims to redefine the standard of robotic gripping and handling. Thanks to its proprietary EAAL Electro-Active Adhesive Layer technology, robots are able to grasp and move objects with extreme versatility (enabling a controllable adhesive grip on objects of the most varied shapes, sizes, materials and weighing up to several kilograms), greater speed (activation and release in less than 10 ms) and energy efficiency unprecedented (up to 1000 times more efficient than standard systems).

Based on electrostatic forces and integrated haptic feedback, EAAL technology enables the detection of object contact and proximity, ensuring extremely precise and gentle handling, and eliminating the need for pneumatic, mechanical or magnetic systems. In addition, with only two components in the product (an electronic control module and a replaceable gripping system), operating and maintenance costs are eliminated. The applications are many: from industrial automation and packaging, where speed and reliability are essential, to space, where technology allows in-orbit operations such as debris removal and satellite maintenance. Adaptronics sets new standards for robotic handling by combining innovation, performance and multi-sector impact.

Combining expertise in electromechanical transduction, advanced materials and digital printing for flexible electronics, the founding team brings with them over 20 years of scientific research, and leads a highly specialized operational team that now numbers 15 people. Among the numerous awards won in recent years, Adaptronics has won the Start Cup Emilia-Romagna 2021, the PNI Industrial 2021, the CNA Cambiamenti Award in 2023 and the IMSA 2025 Award.

Lorenzo Agostini, CEO of the company, said: “This round is a significant milestone for Adaptronics. It represents a recognition of investors’ confidence in our vision of a deep-tech company committed to the development of an enabling technology across different sectors, and allows us to accelerate the path of technological innovation, expand our headquarters with a pilot plant and promote the commercial internationalization of our products“.

Alessandro Zaccaria, Partner at 360 Capital, added: “We are excited to support Adaptronics and its exceptional team at the intersection of advanced electronic materials and automated systems. We believe that Adaptronics’ electro-adhesive solution for object handling has the potential to redefine the standards of industrial automation. Adaptronics’ breakthrough technology, founded on research excellence and built for industrial scalability, perfectly reflects 360 Capital’s vision to support deep-tech startups that are transforming the European industrial landscape.”

Claudia Pingue, Head of the Tech Transfer Fund at CDP Venture Capital, said: “We are very pleased to have believed in Adaptronics from the beginning: its proprietary EAAL technology represents a real paradigm shift in robotic manipulation, opening up new concrete application scenarios in increasingly crucial sectors, from industrial automation to space. The team has demonstrated a clear vision, deep expertise and excellent execution, and we believe it has the potential to make Adaptronics a continental reference in the industry.”

(Source: I3P press release)