SoftBank Gravis acquisition talks could value robotics startup above $500M
SoftBank is weighing a Gravis Robotics takeover that Bloomberg said could value the ETH Zurich spinout above $500 million.
By Dominic Okoye · Staff Writer
· 2 min read
SoftBank is considering a Gravis Robotics acquisition that could value the Swiss startup at more than $500 million, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the talks. The discussions matter for industrial automation because Gravis, an ETH Zurich spinout, is building autonomy software for heavy machines used in construction, mining and agriculture.
Bloomberg reported that no final decision has been made on the size or structure of a possible transaction. The report did not disclose a proposed purchase price, nor did it say whether SoftBank has submitted a binding offer.
Gravis was founded in 2022 and is based on technology developed at ETH Zurich, the Swiss university known for science, technology and innovation. The company is developing an autonomous platform intended to make heavy industrial vehicles operate robotically.
What does Gravis Robotics do?
Gravis Robotics is building software for autonomous operation of heavy industrial equipment. Its product is designed to convert earthmoving machinery into robotic systems, with target markets including construction, mining and agriculture.
The industrial focus is the relevant point. Unlike warehouse robotics or humanoid robots, Gravis is going after machines that already exist in capital-heavy sectors where downtime, labor shortages and safety are persistent operating issues. The company has not disclosed revenue, customer count or deployment scale in the reports.
Gravis raised $23 million in November 2025, according to Dealroom. Its backers include IQ Capital, Armada Investment Group, Zacua Ventures and Holcim, the building materials company.
A valuation above $500 million would be a notable step-up from that financing, though the available reporting does not specify the round valuation or the terms under discussion with SoftBank. Without those details, it is not possible to assess the implied multiple or how much of the price would be tied to cash, stock, earnouts or other conditions.
Why SoftBank would look at European robotics
The potential deal comes as European robotics companies attract more capital. Robotics startups in Europe raised €1.6 billion in 2025, up 110% from €761 million in 2024, according to figures cited by Sifted.
That funding increase has brought more attention to spinouts and deeptech companies working on automation for physical industries. Gravis sits in that group, where defensibility is often tied to university research, real-world machine integration and access to industrial customers rather than software distribution alone.
For SoftBank, an acquisition would fit a broader interest in robotics and automation, although the reports do not detail the investor’s specific rationale for pursuing Gravis. Sifted said it contacted Gravis for comment.
This story draws on original reporting from Sifted.
