SAEKI
Category: Robotics / Embodied AI
SAEKI builds fully autonomous robotic 'microfactories' that integrate large-format additive manufacturing (3D printing), precision CNC machining, and AI-driven quality inspection into a seamless, end-to-end production process — delivering mission-critical large parts on demand in days instead of weeks. SAEKI was founded in 2021. The company is led by Andrea Perissinotto. Based in Zurich, Switzerland. Team size: 1-10. Total funding raised: $9.9M. Latest round: Seed Extension. Key investors include Lightbird, Wingman Ventures, Founderful, 2100VC, Danobat (Danobatgroup), Vento Ventures, Getty Capital, Venture Kick.
- Founded
- 2021
- Headquarters
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Team size
- 1-10
- Total funding
- $9.9M
Value proposition
Replaces fragmented, labor-intensive, and weeks-long supply chains for large-format parts with a single autonomous robotic system that handles quoting, printing, machining, and inspection — reducing lead times by up to 85% (e.g., composite tooling from 6 weeks to 1 week in an automotive case study), cutting waste through additive processes with recyclable materials, and eliminating expensive post-processing by combining additive and subtractive manufacturing on the same robot.
Products and solutions
Autonomous Microfactory System — single industrial robot combining large-format 3D printing (up to 2×1×2 m), CNC milling, and AI quality inspection, Online Quoting & Order Platform — web portal for instant design upload, configuration, pricing, and order placement with zero human intervention (launched 2025), Robotic QA/Inspection System — AI-driven automated 3D scanning and quality assurance ensuring production-grade part consistency, Proprietary Robotic Software Stack — end-to-end automation OS orchestrating the full digital manufacturing pipeline (3D printing → material removal → milling → scanning → finishing), On-Demand Manufacturing-as-a-Service — outsourced production of large-format parts from polymer/composite materials
Unique value
SAEKI is the first company to combine large-format additive manufacturing and subtractive CNC machining on a single industrial robot in a fully autonomous, lights-out production cell — eliminating the need for separate machines, manual post-processing, and fragmented supply chains. Their robots function as self-contained 'microfactories' capable of executing every manufacturing step from raw material to finished, inspected part with no human intervention.
Target customer
Industrial OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers in aerospace, automotive, and construction/AEC (Architecture, Engineering & Construction) who need large-format structural components, composite tooling, and complex-geometry parts produced rapidly and cost-effectively.
Industries served
Aerospace & Space (structural components, tooling), Automotive & Mobility (composite tooling, prototyping, production parts), Construction & AEC (3D-printed formwork, large-scale architectural elements), Industrial Machinery & Equipment (custom large-format components)
Technology advantage
SAEKI's core advantage lies in its proprietary robotic digital manufacturing (RDM) platform that unifies: (1) large-format polymer/composite 3D printing via a custom extrusion end-effector, (2) precision CNC milling via a milling end-effector, (3) material removal and surface finishing, (4) automated 3D scanning for AI-driven quality inspection, and (5) a full software orchestration stack. This hybrid approach achieves near-net-shape additive production followed by precision subtractive finishing in one setup — dramatically reducing waste, lead time, and cost versus traditional methods. The combination of AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing abstracts and automates skills that traditionally require decades of human expertise (per CEO Andrea Perissinotto). The manufacturing-as-a-service model with instant online quoting further lowers the barrier to adoption.
How they differentiate
SAEKI differentiates by combining large-format additive manufacturing (3D printing), precision CNC machining, and AI-driven quality inspection on a single autonomous industrial robot in a fully lights-out 'microfactory' cell — with an integrated manufacturing-as-a-service model including instant online quoting. Competitors like CEAD sell large-format 3D printing hardware/systems but require separate CNC post-processing and don't offer autonomous end-to-end production cells or a service model. Caracol focuses on metal-based robotic DED (direct energy deposition) for aerospace/marine, while SAEKI targets polymer/composite parts. Bright Machines operates in manufacturing automation but focuses on electronics assembly rather than large-format structural component production.
Main competitors
CEAD B.V., Caracol AM, Bright Machines
Key partnerships
ETH Zürich — Official spin-off (label received Dec 2022); deep research roots in NCCR Digital Fabrication and robotic systems labs, Danobat (Danobatgroup) — Strategic investor and industrial machine-tools partner; explicit strategic alignment for advanced manufacturing diversification, NCCR Digital Fabrication (dfab.ch) — Ongoing research collaboration and institutional support, Solar Impulse Foundation — Member of the World Alliance for efficient solutions, recognized for sustainable manufacturing innovation, Venture Kick — Swiss startup support program (winner 2022), providing early-stage validation and network access, Lightbird — Lead investor of $6.7M seed extension (Feb 2025), with Alex Stöckl citing SAEKI's vision for European manufacturing dynamism, Wingman Ventures — Lead investor of $2.3M seed round (Aug 2023), KUKA Robotics — Industrial robot hardware partner (referenced in SAEKI's LinkedIn posts showing KUKA robots in their production hub)
Notable customers
Leading Swiss construction group (undisclosed, confidential) — large-format formwork for AEC industry, Global automotive manufacturer (undisclosed, confidential) — 3D-printed composite tooling, delivery time reduced from 6 weeks to 1 week
Major milestones
Founded in Feb 2021 as ETH Zürich spin-off, Won Venture Kick Stage 2 in 2022, Emerges from stealth with $2.3M seed round led by Wingman Ventures (Aug 2023), Recognized as official ETH Zürich spin-off (label received late 2023), Featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, and other major outlets (Aug 2023), Raised $6.7M seed extension led by Lightbird (Feb 2025), Launched online quoting/ordering platform (early 2025), Joined Solar Impulse Foundation's World Alliance for Efficient Solutions
Growth metrics
Workforce expanded 5x since Aug 2023 seed round; scaled from stealth to actively serving paying customers; launched online quoting platform in early 2025; production hub operational in Switzerland. Pre-revenue / early revenue stage. Customer backlog strong — a leading Swiss construction group estimated Switzerland alone needs 3-4 SAEKI systems to meet formwork demand.
Market positioning
Challenger in the emerging autonomous microfactory / lights-out manufacturing segment, positioned as the first fully integrated additive+subtractive+QA single-robot production cell for large-format industrial parts. Operates as both a technology provider and a manufacturing-as-a-service platform, targeting mid-to-large industrial OEMs in aerospace, automotive, and construction (AEC).
Geographic focus
Europe (Switzerland HQ, primary operations and customer base), with expansion ambitions globally — targeting North America and Asia-Pacific for future microfactory hubs
Patents and IP
No registered patents publicly disclosed as of the latest available data. Given the early-stage nature of the company and its ETH Zürich research origins, IP is likely held as trade secrets and/or pending patent applications.
About Andrea Perissinotto
Co-founder & CEO of SAEKI. ETH Zürich graduate in mechanical engineering. Built his first 3D printer at age 12 and grew up in his uncle's workshop. Met co-founder Oliver Harley while building a large 3D printer for the ETH Zürich maker space. Previously involved in digital fabrication research at ETH Zürich before founding SAEKI in 2021.
Official website: https://saeki.ai