Holcim invests in Gravis Robotics to advance automated earthmoving technology
- Automated earthmoving technology is engineered to enhance onsite productivity while improving job safety
- Investment offers opportunities for Holcim to scale Gravis’ solutions to its markets
Holcim has invested in Gravis Robotics, the earthmoving autonomy company that has attracted USD 23 million in fresh funding. The investment by Holcim MAQER Ventures, Holcim’s corporate venture capital unit, will provide Gravis with the opportunity to expand their solutions from construction applications to quarry applications following a successful UK pilot project with Holcim.
Gravis Robotics creates automated robots for heavy machinery that use artificial intelligence and other technologies to optimize operational efficiency, with precision digging and adaptive hydraulic control. Its innovations are engineered to enhance the construction industry's productivity while improving site safety. Gravis Robotics recently won Gold at the Global Construction Startup Competition 2025 out of more than 500 pre-screened applications.
Bengt Steinbrecher, Head of Holcim MAQER Ventures: "Digital automation and robotics are technologies Holcim has employed for many years to enhance our operational efficiency, productivity and safety. Gravis is a leader in its field, and we see significant opportunities to apply their solutions in our markets. We look forward to bringing its technology to market at scale."
Ryan Luke Johns, CEO and co-founder of Gravis Robotics: “The fastest path to autonomy is delivering productivity today. By giving operators real-time 3D intelligence and the ability to shift seamlessly between autonomy and augmented control, we cover more of the work, accelerate adoption, and create the data pipeline needed to learn new capabilities from the industry’s hardest jobs.”
Founded in 2022 as a spinout from ETH Zurich, Gravis Robotics uses LiDAR, cameras, and hydraulics to make adjustments to operations in real time - giving human operators the tools to enhance their output. The funding round was co-led by IQ Capital and Zacua Ventures, with participation alongside Holcim from Pear VC, Imad (CVC of Nesma & Partners), Sunna Ventures, and Armada Investment.
Holcim MAQER Ventures has also recently invested in SaltX Technology, a listed Swedish company specializing in the electrification of industrial processes, and in Electrified Thermal Solutions, a startup with innovative brick battery technology. The corporate venture capital unit has made 18 investments to date to scale groundbreaking technologies in the built environment. These are part of Holcim’s open innovation ecosystem, through which the company assesses more than 500 startups annually.
About Holcim
Holcim (SIX: HOLN) is the leading partner for sustainable construction with net sales of CHF 16.2 billion1 in 2024, creating value across the built environment from infrastructure and industry to buildings. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Holcim has more than 45 000 employees in 44 attractive markets – across Europe, Latin America and Asia, Middle East & Africa. Holcim offers high-value end-to-end Building Materials and Building Solutions, from foundations and flooring to roofing and walling – powered by premium brands including ECOPlanet, ECOPact, and ECOCycle®.
1 Net sales 2024 restated following spin-off; excludes net sales to Amrize.
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Important disclaimer – forward-looking statements:
This document contains forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements do not constitute forecasts regarding results or any other performance indicator, but rather trends or targets, as the case may be, including with respect to plans, initiatives, events, products, solutions and services, their development and potential. Although Holcim believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions as at the time of publishing this document, investors are cautioned that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Holcim, including but not limited to the risks described in the Holcim's annual report available on its website (www.holcim.com) and uncertainties related to the market conditions and the implementation of our plans. Accordingly, we caution you against relying on forward-looking statements. Holcim does not undertake to provide updates of these forward-looking statements.
