Accelerate Productivity in 2025
Reignite Growth Despite the Global Slowdown
Automation and robotics are transforming industries by improving efficiency and adaptability. Startups are using AI, software platforms, and robotic hardware to simplify tasks in manufacturing, food service, customer engagement, and more.
This article highlights 10 automation robotics companies developing solutions such as low-code robotic systems, hygienic pick-and-place machines, smart horticulture robots, and kitchen automation. These innovations enhance productivity and precision across industrial and consumer-facing sectors.
Global Startup Heat Map highlights 10 Automation Robotics Companies to Watch
Through the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering over 7M+ startups, 20K+ technology trends plus 150M+ patents, news articles & market reports, we identified 10 automation and robotics solutions.
The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the 10 robotics automation companies you should watch in 2025 as well as the geo-distribution of 500+ startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research.
According to our data, we observe high startup activity in Western Europe and the United States, followed by India. The top 5 Startup Hubs for automation robotics are Bangalore, London, San Francisco, New York City, and Pune.
Meet Emerging Automation and Robotics Companies to Watch in 2025
We hand-picked startups to showcase in this report by filtering for their technology, founding year, location, funding, and other metrics. These robotics automation solutions range from process and low-code robotic automation to customer engagement and kitchen operations.
- Pivot Robotics – AI-enabled Robotic Automation
- RINKT – Process Automation Platform
- dffrnt.ai – AI-based Automation and Robotic Technologies
- QSoft – Robot Automation Software
- Grafito Innovations – Smart Robotics and Automation in Horticulture
- TEFA Robotics – Low-code Robot Automation Solution
- VCU Robotics – Hygienic Pick-and-Place Machines
- Alphadroid – Customer Engagement Automation
- Super Tomato – Kitchen Operations Automation
- Jacobi Robotics – Robotics software
1. Pivot Robotics
- Founding Year: 2023
- Location: San Francisco, California, US
- Use For: AI-enabled Robotic Automation
Pivot Robotics creates robotic automation solutions powered by AI that aid manufacturers in expediting surface finishing and visual quality assurance procedures. It automates processes like grinding, sanding, polishing, and flaw detection by combining commercially available industrial robots with in-house AI-driven vision and control software.
These robots adjust to high-mix manufacturing situations using technology that spots assembly faults, recognizes different part shapes, and ensures consistent surface quality. The technology increases manufacturing productivity, decreases rework, and lowers faults through the use of real-time feedback systems and advanced machine vision.
Pivot Robotics’ automation solutions lower labor expenses and worker exposure to dangerous situations by reducing manual inspection and surface finishing. These robots require less calibration and programming and integrate with existing manufacturing lines.
2. RINKT
- Founding Year: 2021
- Location: London, UK
- Use For: Process Automation Platform
RINKT creates a platform for intelligent process automation that combines robotic process automation, machine learning, and AI to optimize corporate workflows. Its products, Rinkt Studio, Rinkt Portal, and Rinkt DocBot, allow businesses to simplify document management, automate tedious tasks, and improve operational effectiveness.
Rinkt Studio’s automation workflow design allows businesses to create and modify process automation with less effort by utilizing a visual interface. Further, its Rinkt Portal ensures accessibility and control by enabling real-time monitoring and deployment of automation solutions across several devices.
Rinkt DocBot reduces errors and human labor by automating document processing using AI-driven data extraction and pattern identification. RINKT lowers expenses, increases worker productivity, and decreases operational bottlenecks by automating both simple and complex workflows.
3. dffrnt.ai
- Founding Year: 2023
- Location: Heilbronn, Germany
- Use For: AI-based Automation and Robotic Technologies
dffrnt.ai offers a web-based, AI-first platform that updates the architecture and functionality of industrial robotic applications. Its task-oriented tool allows users to specify desired tasks, such as pick and place, welding, assembling, or machine tending, without focusing on specific robot movements.
The platform utilises its database to recommend suitable robots and components while automatically generating optimal task execution plans, including paths to avoid collisions.
It allows users to input custom CAD models and automatically generate code compatible with various robot brands, including ABB, Comau, Kuka, and UR. Additionally, the system employs physics-based simulations to verify key performance parameters such as cycle times and path velocities.
dffrnt.ai expedites the creation of robotic applications by enabling easy collaboration among team members and integrating with existing equipment. This integration reduces software development time and allows end users to adapt to changing requirements without external assistance.
4. QSoft
- Founding Year: 2022
- Location: Istanbul, Turkey
- Use For: Robot Automation Software
QSoft creates a QSoft Robotic Process Automation (RPA) platform that automates repetitive business processes to improve operational efficiency. Its interface lets users develop automation workflows by simulating mouse and keyboard movements using a drag-and-drop architecture and minimal programming requirements.
The platform facilitates the automation of intricate procedures across a range of corporate tasks by processing both structured and unstructured data. It enables rapid and effective implementation through easy integration with existing systems. This includes a range of pre-built controls and features, such as optical character recognition (OCR).
QSoft’s digital workers operate continuously, handling repetitive tasks, allowing workers to concentrate on strategic work. QSoft RPA platform provides enterprises with a scalable solution to address their automation needs. It lowers operating costs and improves productivity by enabling the rapid and efficient digitization of business processes.
5. Grafito Innovations
- Founding Year: 2022
- Location: Kozhikode, India
- Use For: Smart Robotics and Automation in Horticulture
Grafito Innovations creates automated and robotic grafting solutions that maximize plant grafting procedures for horticultural productivity. It offers semi-automated SAGM-01 and the fully automated FAGM-01 grafting machines to simplify operations for small- to medium-sized farmers and nurseries.
Additionally, the EasyGraft 143 Professional Pocket Grafting Tool is a portable manual device for accurate and easy plant grafting.
SAGM-01’s integrated pneumatic foot pedal controls allow a single operator to effectively arrange seedlings, cut them, and align the graft joints. The fully automated FAGM-01 uses a vision-assisted alignment technology and electric motor-driven actuation to ensure high-precision grafting with little operator involvement.
Both systems come with optional capabilities, including computer vision support and support for grafting for the Solanaceae plant family.
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6. TEFA Robotics
- Founding Year: 2023
- Location: Seoul, South Korea
- Use For: Low-code Robot Automation Solution
TEFA Robotics provides a low-code robot automation solution that increases manufacturing productivity by making robotic programming easier. Its TEFA Low-code Solution (TLS)’s customised software allows users to alter automation settings without the requirement for specialized engineering expertise.
TLS consists of several modules for depalletizing with 3D vision, tool offset correction, bin-picking applications, and object manipulation with 2D cameras. Additionally, the Robot Foundation Model (RFM) AI PICK module handles a wide variety of objects, including translucent or unusually shaped items. It achieves this by utilizing 2D stereo cameras and specialized grippers.
7. VCU Robotics
- Founding Year: 2023
- Location: Urk, Netherlands
- Use For: Hygienic Pick-and-Place Machines
VCU Robotics creates sanitary pick-and-place devices to maximize automation in the processing of frozen and fresh foods. Its robotic systems use high-speed delta robots with high-flow grippers to precisely handle fragile food items, preventing damage and preserving product integrity.
These robots integrate with current manufacturing lines by automating processes like sorting, positioning, and packaging, increasing productivity and reducing reliance on manual labor. VCU Robotics’ machines benefit sanitary food environments from the stainless steel and washdown-resistant construction, adhering to strict safety and hygiene regulations.
It enables businesses to improve throughput, reliability, and product consistency while addressing workforce shortages. The startup provides an economical and scalable production workflow, allowing food businesses to improve operational efficiency. It also enhances workplace safety and ensures adherence to food industry laws by automating labor-intensive procedures.
8. Alphadroid
- Founding Year: 2022
- Location: London, UK
- Use For: Customer Engagement Automation
Alphadroid offers customer engagement automation systems that combine digital and robotic technologies to improve the dining experience in restaurants. Its product Robot as a Service (RaaS) provides service robots to handle duties including order fulfillment, payment processing, and reception. It expedites operations and cuts down on wait times.
The startup also offers 3D Avatar as a Service, which leverages virtual avatars to enhance user experiences. These avatars create a distinctive and engaging environment by providing customized guest interactions and personalized recommendations.
Alphadroid improves service quality, increases operational effectiveness, and drives revenue growth in the hospitality sector. It automates repetitive processes and establishes digital links between customers and eateries.
9. Super Tomato
- Founding Year: 2021
- Location: Singapore
- Use For: Kitchen Operations Automation
Super Tomato creates modular kitchen automation systems that improve operational efficiency in the food service sector and expedite meal preparation.
Its product, the Super Tomato One, features conveyors equipped with anti-bacterial UV lighting to ensure hygienic transportation. It also includes temperature-controlled dispensing modules for precise ingredient allocation.
Additionally, start-line modules dispense empty containers, while end-line modules automatically label and lid the food containers. The system’s integrated software offers real-time analytics and order management by integrating with current food delivery and point-of-sale platforms.
Super Tomato’s technology lowers labor costs, minimizes errors, and maintains high hygiene standards by automating repetitive procedures and ensuring consistent portion control. This allows food service enterprises to grow operations effectively within a small footprint.
10. Jacobi Robotics
- Founding Year: 2022
- Location: Berkeley, California, US
- Use For: Robotics Software
- Funding: Raised USD 5 million in Seed Funding
Jacobi Robotics simplifies the programming and deployment of industrial robot arms with its robotics software solutions. Its platform calculates time-optimized, collision-free, and singularity-free robot trajectories by utilizing motion planning algorithms.
This technology cuts down on development time by allowing customers to configure apps and create ideal robot pathways without manual instruction. The platform offers Python and C++ APIs for smooth integration and supports various robot brands.
Its Jacobi Palletizer is a software program that allows system integrators to set up cells quickly and cuts deployment times. Jacobi Robotics enhances operational effectiveness by automating complex motion planning.
Discover All Emerging Automation Robotics Startups
The automation robotics startups showcased in this report are only a small sample of all startups we identified through our data-driven startup scouting approach. Download our free Industry Innovation Reports for a broad overview of the industry, or get in touch for quick & exhaustive research on the latest technologies & emerging solutions that will impact your company in 2025!