AI-first robotics company Launchpad has secured $11 million (£8.2 million) in Series A funding to accelerate the development of its advanced automation platform. The round was co-led by Lavrock Ventures and Squadra Ventures, with backing from the Scottish National Investment Bank, Ericsson Ventures, Lockheed Martin Ventures and Cox Exponential. It follows a $2.5 million grant from Scottish Enterprise, reflecting strong public and private sector confidence.
Launchpad’s core product, Digitool, integrates AI and robotics to streamline manufacturing by simplifying automation, reducing costs and cutting time to market. The company aims to help manufacturers build products faster and more efficiently, with scalable applications across sectors in the UK, US and Europe.
The firm recently opened a research and development centre in Edinburgh, chosen for its skilled workforce and proximity to leading university AI research. Adrian Gillespie, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said Launchpad’s arrival adds to Scotland’s “long-standing academic, technical and entrepreneurial strengths” and strengthens its innovation community.
Anthony Kelly, investment director at the Scottish National Investment Bank, praised the company’s rise as a robotics leader and said its scalable solutions offer “strong potential across multiple industries.” He emphasised the importance of such investments in cementing the UK’s role in responsible AI innovation.
CFO Jon Quick said Scotland serves as a “gateway to the UK, Europe, and Middle East/Northern Africa,” underlining the company’s global ambitions and commitment to scaling its technology from a strong local base.
Launchpad’s growth signals a broader boost to the UK’s advanced manufacturing and AI robotics sectors, showcasing Scotland’s growing role in fostering innovation. While challenges remain in scaling complex technologies, the investment reflects global confidence in the UK’s digital infrastructure and ambition to lead in responsible industrial automation.
Created by Amplify: AI-augmented, human-curated content.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being October 15, 2025. Multiple reputable outlets, including PR Newswire ([prnewswire.com](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/launchpad-closes-series-a-to-power-its-ai-reimagining-of-the-manufacturing-sector-302584867.html?utm_source=openai)) and the Scottish National Investment Bank ([thebank.scot](https://www.thebank.scot/launchpad-investment-to-power-its-ai-reimagining-of-the-manufacturing-sector?utm_source=openai)), have reported on this development. The presence of a press release indicates a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
Direct quotes from key individuals, such as Jon Quick, CEO of Launchpad, and Adrian Gillespie, CEO of Scottish Enterprise, are consistent across multiple sources, suggesting originality. No discrepancies or variations in wording were found.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from reputable organisations, including PR Newswire and the Scottish National Investment Bank, lending credibility to the information presented.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and supported by multiple reputable sources. The involvement of well-known investors and the establishment of an R&D centre in Edinburgh align with the company's strategic goals. No inconsistencies or suspicious elements were identified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, with consistent and original quotes from credible sources. The involvement of reputable organisations and the alignment of claims with known facts further support the credibility of the information.
