We see that robotics has enormous potential to streamline and improve processes across many industries. It is rare to see early-stage companies with such high demand for their solution, says Svein-Olav Torø, CEO of Kongsberg Innovasjon.
Technology startup EasyX is now raising 12 million from new investors and is ready for scaling in the aquaculture industry.
The company is bringing on several well-known early-stage investors such as Startuplab, Kongsberg Innovasjon, and DSD Investering, in addition to Innovation Norway.
Changed course after a tip
EasyX has developed a robot that can travel on vertical surfaces regardless of the material.
In the first phase, the robot will be used to wash and clean fish tanks at smolt facilities and land-based aquaculture plants.
The idea for the robot arose when two of the founders, Bård J. Hansen and Sindre R. Hansen, were painting their houses one summer. They wanted to create a robot that could simplify the work.
The initial thought was to offer the robot to private individuals who wanted to paint houses and walls, but market interest was limited and conditions were highly variable, says Sindre Hansen.
After a tip from a fellow villager that the technology could be used in the aquaculture industry, the company changed course.
EasyX has developed a robot that can operate on slippery walls and be used to wash empty fish tanks in the aquaculture industry.
– Significant strain on employees
Cleaning fish tanks is currently done manually using high-pressure washers from scaffolding. It is a significant strain on the facility employees. Aquaculture companies are clear that they want better solutions, says fellow villager and co-founder Jan Fredrik Gjerstad.
With new industrial investors on board, the company is ready to commercialize and scale the technology for the market.
One of the investors joining the investment round is Kongsberg Innovasjon's pre-seed fund.
Kongsberg Innovasjon is an industry-based incubator and investor operating throughout Norway.
In 2022, the group raised 69 million NOK for investments in early-stage companies.
Last year, the company announced its ambition to raise capital for a new fund that would invest in Norwegian deep tech solutions.
It is clear that they have struck a chord in the aquaculture industry with their robot, says Torø.
The company has nothing to sell right now, but the plan is to complete its first commercial sale during 2023.
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