Softbank eyeing acquisition of ETH spinout Gravis, reports suggest

Tokyo-based Softbank is considering acquiring Swiss startup Gravis Robotics, according to reports. The company is a spinout from ETH Zurich, a Swiss university focused primarily on science, tech and innovation. Gravis Robotics, founded in 2022, is developing an autonomous platform for heavy industrial vehicles and machinery using tech developed at ETH. Its product is designed to turn any ‘earthmoving machine’ into a robot, and target industries include construction, mining and agriculture. The company is backed by IQ Capital, Armada Investment Group, Zacua Ventures and Holcim, which manufactures building materials. Gravis raised a $23m round in November last year, according to Dealroom. The deal with Softbank could ultimately value Gravis at more than $500 million, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the discussions. No final decisions on the size or structure of a deal have been made, the people said. Gravis is part of a cohort of European robotics companies. The sector is seeing increased investor interest: Europe’s robotics companies raised a combined €1.6bn in 2025, up 110% from the €761m they secured in 2024. Sifted has approached Gravis for comment.