Mimic Robotics
Overview
Mimic Robotics, founded in 2024 as a spin-off from ETH Zurich, is a pioneering company in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence. It develops innovative robotic systems with a focus on dexterous robotic hands guided by sophisticated AI models, enabling these machines to perform complex tasks similar to human capabilities. The company, based in Zurich, Switzerland, was co-founded by Stefan Weirich, Stephan-Daniel Gravert, Elvis Nava, Benedek Forrai, and advised by Robert Katzschmann. Recently, as of November 2025, Mimic Robotics has raised over $20 million in funding to further its development in frontier physical AI.
Recent Developments
- November 2025: Mimic Robotics secured $16 million in a funding round led by Elaia, with participation from notable investors such as Speedinvest and Founderful. The funds are aimed at accelerating the development of the company’s AI foundation model and humanoid robotic hands, preparing them for deployment across various industries, particularly in manufacturing and logistics.
- June 2025: The publication of "mimic-one: a Scalable Model Recipe for General Purpose Robot Dexterity" highlighted the company’s advancements in creating scalable models for robotic dexterity. These developments underscore Mimic's commitment to using imitation learning to train robotic hands on complex, real-world tasks previously challenging for traditional automation.
- March 2025: Mimic Robotics joined AWS Generative AI Accelerator, receiving support and resources to apply its advanced AI to real-world industrial challenges.
- 2024: Mimic completed a pre-seed funding round of $2.5 million, led by Founderful and other investors including another.vc and Tiny VC, marking its initial steps in AI-driven robotic innovation.
- Mimic continues to be featured in tech conferences and reports like Swiss Deep Tech Report, showcasing its role as a leader in robotics and AI across Switzerland.
- The company is engaged in pilot projects with several Fortune 500 companies, testing its technology in live production environments and demonstrating its practicality in challenging industrial settings.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2024 |
| Headquarters | Zurich, Switzerland |
| Founders | Stefan Weirich, Stephan-Daniel Gravert, Elvis Nava, Benedek Forrai, Robert Katzschmann (Advisor) |
| Revenue | Undisclosed |
| Profits | Undisclosed |
| Key Investors | Elaia, Speedinvest, Founderful, 2100 Ventures, Sequoia Scout Fund |
| Industry | Robotics and Artificial Intelligence |
| Number of Employees | Approximately 25 |
Early History
Mimic Robotics originated from ETH Zurich’s Soft Robotics Lab, where its founders collaborated on cutting-edge robotics and AI research. The founding team—Stefan Weirich, Stephan-Daniel Gravert, Elvis Nava, and Benedek Forrai—focused on the connection of AI with robots, with the ambition of addressing complex manual tasks that require advanced motor skills. Their idea was to leverage AI-powered dexterous robotic hands that can seamlessly integrate into the workflows of industries burdened by labor shortages and demanding manual tasks. Over the years, their foundational work set the stage for what has become a significant venture in frontier robotics.
Company Profile and Achievements
Mimic Robotics operates with a robust business model centered around developing human-like AI robotics that address the needs of automation in modern industries. Significant achievements and aspects include:
- Pioneering AI Models: Mimic’s development of general-purpose AI models for robotics allows machines to automate complex tasks once reserved for humans, bridging the gap in areas like manufacturing and logistics.
- Robotics with Dexterity: Their robotic hands, paired with off-the-shelf robotic arms, offer a solution to industries dealing with intricate manual tasks, which traditional automation systems fail to address effectively.
- Imitation Learning Framework: By using operator-worn devices that collect data from real-world environments, Mimic establishes a foundation for training its AI models through imitation learning, ensuring its robots can adapt to varying conditions and tasks autonomously.
- Prominent Collaborations and Trials: The company partners with top-tier manufacturers and automotive brands, piloting its technology across global logistic networks, positioning itself as a key player in revolutionizing industry automation.
Current Operations and Market Position
Currently, Mimic Robotics stands as a promising force in the robotics sector, focusing on transforming industrial processes through AI-driven dexterity. Their operations are geared toward addressing acute labor shortages and inefficiencies in manufacturing systems by applying sophisticated robotic solutions. By leveraging their connection to ETH Zurich and drawing upon a vast pool of engineering talent, Mimic is strategically positioned in the growing European robotics cluster. The company’s competitive advantage lies in its unique training methods and data collection techniques, allowing it to provide versatile and enhanced robotic solutions that are both scalable and applicable across diverse sectors.
Conclusion
Mimic Robotics is charting a revolutionary path in the industry by bridging the capabilities of dexterous AI with industrial demands. By focusing on AI systems trained through human demonstration, Mimic is creating a foundation for a new wave of intelligent automation—robots that are poised to perform tasks previously limited to human capabilities. With strong support from strategic investors and a steady pace of technological advancements, Mimic is not only enhancing the robotics landscape in Europe but is also paving the path for a future where robots can integrate seamlessly into any environment, tackling complex challenges with human-like dexterity.