SAEKI, a Swiss deep-tech startup founded at ETH Zürich, has secured $6.7 million in Seed funding to accelerate the development of its autonomous factories—fully integrated systems that combine quoting, large-format additive manufacturing, CNC machining, and automated inspection. Lightbird led the round with participation from Founderful, 2100VC, Danobat, and other prominent industry investors. 

This funding milestone positions SAEKI at the forefront of a new industrial paradigm as manufacturers seek scalable, AI-driven solutions to meet rising global demand for complex, large-scale parts. 

As traditional manufacturing struggles to keep pace, SAEKI’s comprehensive automation approach provides a smooth transition from digital design to actual part production, removing inefficiencies, shortening lead times, and improving quality management. 

A Hybrid Approach to Scalable Production 

SAEKI’s vertically integrated platform combines large-scale 3D printing with precision CNC machining and automated inspection, offering unmatched speed and flexibility for industries such as aerospace, automotive, and construction—all of which face increasing pressure from disrupted supply chains and labor-intensive production models. 

“There’s a widening gap between what engineers can design and what manufacturers can produce,” said Andrea Perissinotto, Co-Founder and CEO of SAEKI. “Our autonomous factory model closes this gap, empowering industries to move faster, reduce waste, and deliver innovative solutions at scale.” 

At the heart of SAEKI’s solution is its instant quoting platform, enabling customers to upload part designs, specify requirements, and obtain instant pricing. This platform shortens procurement timelines from several days to just minutes while delivering a smooth customer experience that matches the swift nature of modern business. 

From Workshop Roots to Factory of the Future 

CEO Andrea Perissinotto traces SAEKI’s inspiration to his early experiences in his uncle’s workshop, where he witnessed the skill and craftsmanship that defined traditional manufacturing. “What we saw was a system that was expert-driven but difficult to scale,” he explained. “Now, with the help of AI and robotics, we’re capturing and automating those decades of experience.” 

Together with Oliver Harley (CTO) and Dr. Matthias Leschok (COO), SAEKI’s founding team combines deep expertise in engineering, robotics, and manufacturing automation. Their interdisciplinary approach is transforming complex, experience-heavy workflows into digital, scalable systems designed for industrial-scale output. 

Demand Signals and Industry Validation 

Industry demand for SAEKI’s approach is already evident. A leading Swiss construction group estimated that three to four SAEKI systems would be required to meet national demand for large-format formwork. In another case, a global automotive manufacturer used SAEKI’s 3D-printed composite tooling to reduce part delivery times from six weeks to just one, cutting two weeks off their production schedule.

A New Model for Industrial Manufacturing 

“SAEKI’s focus on large-format manufacturing is arriving at a critical time,” said Thomas Meier, Partner at Lightbird. “As global supply chains tighten and lead times grow, their integrated solution sets a new benchmark for agility and reliability in industrial production.” 

SAEKI’s mission is clear: to enable fully autonomous factories that redefine how complex, large-scale components are designed, produced, and delivered. By integrating all stages of manufacturing into one streamlined, AI-driven system, the company is setting a new standard for efficiency, precision, and scalability in advanced manufacturing. 

Alex Stöckl, Partner at Founderful, added: “Their vision of European industrial dynamism—grounded in a highly capable, interdisciplinary team—has the potential to redefine how manufacturing is done.” 

Source: www.saeki.ch