Swedish startup raises $16.5 million to make CNC machines more intelligent

Stockholm-based startup IPercept has secured $16.5 million in a Series A funding round co-led by Isogon Ventures and 2150, with participation from several existing investors. Spun out of KTH Royal Institute of Technology, the company develops plug-and-play technology designed to bring predictive maintenance and real-time intelligence to CNC machines. The fresh capital will fund an expansion into the United States, initial local hiring, and the expansion of the company data platform with new artificial intelligence applications.

IPercept uses a single patented device mounted on the moving part of a CNC machine to capture micrometre-scale motion and turn it into component-level condition data. The system operates without needing to connect to the machine controller or the customer IT network. This technology provides detailed visibility into component wear and helps operators address issues before production stops. Currently, the technology is deployed across more than 30 major manufacturers, including Airbus, Bosch, Hitachi Energy, Scania, and Volvo, as well as industrial service companies like Konecranes and Quant.

CNC machine tools underpin global manufacturing across automotive, aerospace, energy, and defense sectors, yet their average efficiency has remained at 50 to 60 percent for decades. Standard machine controllers command motion but do not measure mechanical condition, and traditional vibration sensors were built for simpler equipment. By addressing this blind spot, IPercept reduces unplanned downtime, improves overall equipment effectiveness, and unlocks physical artificial intelligence for the world largest existing robotics segment.