Scotland’s expertise in harnessing AI, robotics and advanced engineering is increasingly attracting attention from global backers.
Claire Cramm, investment manager at Scotland and north of England-focused PXN Ventures, reports that research work being carried out in Scottish universities and a growing pipeline of high-quality spin-outs was “turning heads on the global stage”.
PXN recently joined backers including Ericsson Ventures and Lockheed Martin Ventures in Edinburgh-based robotics company Launchpad.
The company, which is developing AI-first robotics systems that aim to make factory automation faster and safer, raised £8.3m in a Series A round.
Cramm says PXN was one a number of companies that are at the forefront of a fast-developing area.
“The world is facing growing pressure on productivity and supply chains, which is putting a spotlight on advanced automation and industrial AI as priority areas for investors in 2026. What’s particularly exciting is that modern automation no longer requires the heavy capital investment traditionally associated with robotics.”
Cramm says companies such as Launchpad are developing technologies that solve real operational challenges for global industries, from improving manufacturing productivity to optimising complex systems.
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