In an era where robotics holds the potential to fundamentally transform our lives, major investment fuel is lighting the way for innovation. On January 28, 2025, Northern Gritstone unveiled a substantial £4 million seed round funding for BOW, a pioneering software company revolutionizing robotics development. This collaboration, supported by prominent players like Finance Yorkshire and NPIF II – Praetura Equity Finance, signals an exciting moment for investors and founders focused on scalable solutions that bridge the gap in the vast and rapidly evolving robotics market.
Launched in 2020 as a spin-out from the prestigious University of Sheffield, BOW is not just another tech venture; it’s a transformative solution designed to simplify the intricate world of robotics.
With the global robotics market projected to soar to an astonishing $260 billion by 2030, BOW’s unique robot-agnostic software development kit (SDK) is set to address significant barriers. Currently, programming robots is laden with complexities, hindering widespread application development. By allowing developers to use their preferred programming languages across various robotic platforms, BOW ensures seamless integration, making it easier than ever to innovate.
As the CEO of Northern Gritstone, Duncan Johnson, affirms, this investment exemplifies the North of England's capacity to nurture world-class tech startups. With key additions to their leadership team, including Raspberry Pi Co-Founder Liz Upton, BOW is barreling ahead in its mission. As Nick Thompson, CEO of BOW, puts it: "This £4 million seed investment, led by Northern Gritstone, will accelerate our product development and expand our brilliant team." By investing in BOW, stakeholders are not just backing a company; they are investing in a future where robotics can solve pressing global challenges, democratizing access to innovation across industries.
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