Forgis secures USD 4.5 million to bring AI-powered intelligence to European factories
18.11.2025
Swiss ICT startup Forgis, modernizing traditional factories into intelligent, adaptive production hubs, has raised USD 4.5 million in a pre-seed funding round. The funding will accelerate the development of Forgis’ AI-powered software platform, designed to connect, optimize, and orchestrate machines and production lines for smarter, more efficient factories. The startup also recently received CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick III in its final phase, supporting the advancement of its industrial automation technology.
 |
 |
For years, European manufacturers have relied on outsourcing production, prioritizing cost reduction over long-term innovation. Today, they face mounting pressure: China dominates in price competitiveness, while the US leads in technological innovation. Reshoring is emerging as the only viable strategy to regain industrial autonomy, but high labor and automation costs have slowed progress.
Founded in 2025 in Zurich by Federico Martelli (CEO), Camilla Mazzolena (CPO), and Riccardo Maggioni (CTO), Forgis—formerly known as Xelerit—addresses the challenge of fragmented factory systems, aging infrastructure, and global competition by making factories smarter, more flexible, and ready for Industry 5.0. The startup’s AI-driven software provides an intelligent layer that allows machines, robots, and production lines to interact with their physical environment, coordinate processes autonomously, and adapt to changing conditions.
By connecting existing equipment rather than requiring costly replacements, Forgis enables European manufacturers to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, automate decision-making, and increase operational flexibility, helping them compete globally.
The Swiss startup, which has already established a strategic partnership with IBM, completed pilot projects, and secured commitments from Fortune 500 companies, recently closed a USD 4.5 million pre-seed funding round led by redalpine. The company also received CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick, in its final phase, supporting the development and scaling of its AI-powered industrial software. With this new funding and support, Forgis will accelerate the modernization of European factories, equipping them for a smarter, more adaptive future.
“Venture Kick was instrumental in giving us that milestone-driven external push to close the deal now, develop that feature now, and get things done now,” highlights CEO Federico Martelli.
From left to right: CTO Riccardo Maggioni, CPO Camilla Mazzoleni, and CEO Federico Martelli
Founded in 2025 in Zurich by Federico Martelli (CEO), Camilla Mazzolena (CPO), and Riccardo Maggioni (CTO), Forgis—formerly known as Xelerit—addresses the challenge of fragmented factory systems, aging infrastructure, and global competition by making factories smarter, more flexible, and ready for Industry 5.0. The startup’s AI-driven software provides an intelligent layer that allows machines, robots, and production lines to interact with their physical environment, coordinate processes autonomously, and adapt to changing conditions.
By connecting existing equipment rather than requiring costly replacements, Forgis enables European manufacturers to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, automate decision-making, and increase operational flexibility, helping them compete globally.
The Swiss startup, which has already established a strategic partnership with IBM, completed pilot projects, and secured commitments from Fortune 500 companies, recently closed a USD 4.5 million pre-seed funding round led by redalpine. The company also received CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick, in its final phase, supporting the development and scaling of its AI-powered industrial software. With this new funding and support, Forgis will accelerate the modernization of European factories, equipping them for a smarter, more adaptive future.
“Venture Kick was instrumental in giving us that milestone-driven external push to close the deal now, develop that feature now, and get things done now,” highlights CEO Federico Martelli.
From left to right: CTO Riccardo Maggioni, CPO Camilla Mazzoleni, and CEO Federico Martelli