Under Industries receives CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to develop next generation microtunneling systems for urban infrastructure
26.01.2026
The deep-tech startup Under Industries has obtained CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick as the first funding recipient of the year to develop technology that enables faster, cleaner underground utility installation. The approach aims to reduce road closures, noise, and surface disruption in dense urban environments.
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Microtunneling projects are often costly and complex, driven by high material and labor expenses that make smaller utility projects economically unfeasible. Conventional pipe-jacking methods can also cause noise, vibration, and ground settlement, raising safety and environmental concerns, especially in populated areas. In addition, changing ground conditions pose major challenges for existing machines, limiting reliability and increasing project risk.
This is where Under Industries steps in, developing next-generation Micro Tunnel Boring Robots (MTBRs) designed to operate efficiently across varying ground conditions. The technology focuses on reducing surface disruption, shortening construction timelines, and improving adaptability compared to conventional approaches. By enabling underground utility installation with minimal road closures and reduced environmental impact, the system supports more flexible and sustainable urban infrastructure development.
Under Industries addresses a large market, covering several tens of billions of USD per year worldwide. In the first phase of its business development plan, the company focuses on entering the Swiss power distribution market, working with Distribution System Operators (DSOs) that need to expand the grid and transition from overhead lines to underground cables. In a later phase, Under Industries plans to expand its operational market across Europe and address additional underground utility conduits, such as district heating. Overall, the company’s Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) sums up to around 150 million Swiss francs per year covering electricity grids in Switzerland and Europe alone.
The CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick will contribute to completing Under Industries’ Minimum Viable Product (MVP): an industry-compliant MTBR to be used for the first demonstrator and commercial pilots, helping to build trust within the industry.
Spun out of Swissloop Tunneling, the engineering student association from ETH founded in late 2020, Under Industries is led by CEO Eugenio Valli, CPO Philippe Kientsch, and CCO Doré de Morsier. What began as a student initiative has grown into an international team of more than 100 active members and alumni from over a dozen countries, combining engineering and business expertise to develop practical tunneling solutions for real-world infrastructure challenges.
“Venture Kick’s support has helped Under Industries challenge the core assumptions about this technology and market, and guided it in building a valid business plan, from market entry to growth and industrialization,” highlighted Eugenio Valli.
CEO Eugenio Valli, CPO Philippe Kientsch, and CCO Doré de Morsier
This is where Under Industries steps in, developing next-generation Micro Tunnel Boring Robots (MTBRs) designed to operate efficiently across varying ground conditions. The technology focuses on reducing surface disruption, shortening construction timelines, and improving adaptability compared to conventional approaches. By enabling underground utility installation with minimal road closures and reduced environmental impact, the system supports more flexible and sustainable urban infrastructure development.
Under Industries addresses a large market, covering several tens of billions of USD per year worldwide. In the first phase of its business development plan, the company focuses on entering the Swiss power distribution market, working with Distribution System Operators (DSOs) that need to expand the grid and transition from overhead lines to underground cables. In a later phase, Under Industries plans to expand its operational market across Europe and address additional underground utility conduits, such as district heating. Overall, the company’s Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) sums up to around 150 million Swiss francs per year covering electricity grids in Switzerland and Europe alone.
The CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick will contribute to completing Under Industries’ Minimum Viable Product (MVP): an industry-compliant MTBR to be used for the first demonstrator and commercial pilots, helping to build trust within the industry.
Spun out of Swissloop Tunneling, the engineering student association from ETH founded in late 2020, Under Industries is led by CEO Eugenio Valli, CPO Philippe Kientsch, and CCO Doré de Morsier. What began as a student initiative has grown into an international team of more than 100 active members and alumni from over a dozen countries, combining engineering and business expertise to develop practical tunneling solutions for real-world infrastructure challenges.
“Venture Kick’s support has helped Under Industries challenge the core assumptions about this technology and market, and guided it in building a valid business plan, from market entry to growth and industrialization,” highlighted Eugenio Valli.
CEO Eugenio Valli, CPO Philippe Kientsch, and CCO Doré de Morsier