A new European robotics company, Mirai Robotics, has raised $4.2 million in pre-seed funding to develop autonomous vehicles and intelligent systems for maritime operations.
The company said the funding round, one of the largest early-stage investments in Italy’s robotics and deep-tech sector, was led by Primo Capital alongside Techshop and 40Jemz Ventures. Several Italian and international angel investors also joined the round.
Founded in Italy, Mirai Robotics is building autonomous technologies designed for surveillance, monitoring and patrol activities at sea. The systems combine autonomous vehicles, sensing technology and control systems aimed at reducing operational risk and lowering costs in maritime operations.
The maritime sector is important in the global economy, with more than 80% of world trade moving by sea, while over 90% of Europe’s foreign trade depends on maritime routes. Subsea cables also carry about 95% of international internet traffic.
Despite its importance, maritime operations still rely heavily on manual processes. Operators face high operating costs, limited real-time monitoring and unignorable safety risks. At the same time, the industry is dealing with a shortage of skilled professionals and an ageing workforce among captains and vessel operators.
Mirai Robotics says its technology aims to address these gaps.
The company has already developed two autonomous vehicles designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, as well as patrol activities in both coastal and offshore environments.
The vehicles integrate perception systems, autonomous navigation, remote control functions and safety features. They can operate individually or as part of a coordinated fleet.
Alongside its own vehicles, the company also develops autonomy, navigation and control technologies that can be integrated into third-party maritime platforms. This allows operators to introduce autonomous capabilities without redesigning existing fleets.
Mirai Robotics follows a dual-use model, meaning its technologies can serve both civil and institutional applications.
The company was founded by Luciano Belviso, Luca Mascaro and Davide Dattoli.
Belviso previously built and led industrial companies, including Blackshape, an aircraft design and manufacturing company later acquired by Angel Holding.
Mascaro founded Sketchin, a digital design firm later acquired by the BIP Group, where he served as Chief Innovation Officer. Dattoli is the founder of Talent Garden and an investor in the European technology ecosystem.
The company has also assembled a pan-European team with expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence and mission-critical systems. It works with universities and research centres across the region.
Mirai Robotics is headquartered in Puglia in southern Italy, a location the company chose for its proximity to Mediterranean maritime routes and industrial research centres.
The new funding will support further development of its technologies, expansion of the engineering team and pilot projects with industrial and institutional partners.
Luciano Belviso, CEO of Mirai Robotics, said, “The sea is one of the last major physical infrastructures not yet governed by software. Autonomy is the key to finally making the oceans safe and usable, unlocking enormous resources and addressing critical security challenges. But it must be implemented through systems capable of operating continuously and safely in extreme environments. This is a technological and industrial challenge that requires a true robotics-lab approach.”
Gianluca Dettori, whose firm led the investment, added, “The maritime domain is at an inflection point. We’re looking at a huge economy that still relies on operational models designed decades ago. The human capital gap alone, thousands of unfilled roles, ageing workforces, increasing operational risk, make the status quo unsustainable.
“What Mirai Robotics is building isn’t just automation; it’s the fundamental infrastructure layer that will allow the blue economy to scale safely and efficiently. Italy’s shipbuilding heritage combined with this calibre of robotics and AI talent creates a genuinely unique opportunity.”
