Mimic builds AI foundation models and humanoid robotic hands for human level dexterity in industrial settings. ETH Zurich spin off with a 25 person team of engineers and researchers.
Mimic Robotics is a Zurich-based robotics and AI startup developing dexterous robotic hands and physical AI for industrial automation. Founded in 2024 as a spin-off from ETH Zurich’s Soft Robotics Lab, the company focuses on enabling robots to perform complex manipulation tasks with human-like precision rather than building complete humanoid robots. Its technology combines advanced robotic hands with AI models trained for physical interaction, targeting applications in manufacturing, logistics, retail, and warehouse automation. By specializing in dexterous manipulation, Mimic Robotics addresses one of the most challenging problems in embodied AI, providing technologies that can be integrated into humanoid robots and other robotic platforms.
In November 2025, ETH AI Center reported that Mimic had secured a $16 million seed round led by Elaia and Speedinvest to expand production of its robotic hands, grow deployment teams, and deepen pilot work with manufacturing and logistics partners. The company used the moment to sharpen its message that dexterous robotic hands can solve practical industrial labor gaps faster than full humanoids.
Mimic Robotics was founded in 2024 as a spin-off from ETH Zurichs Soft Robotics Lab. Venture Kick described the company as a team of AI researchers, engineers, and business operators building a humanoid robotic hand driven by a robotic transformer model.
In February 2025, Mimic received CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to strengthen its business development, IP, and commercialization efforts. The organization also said initial industrial projects were already underway, with first deployments expected later that year.
In November 2025, ETH AI Center reported that Mimic had secured a $16 million seed round led by Elaia and Speedinvest to expand production of its robotic hands, grow deployment teams, and deepen pilot work with manufacturing and logistics partners. The company used the moment to sharpen its message that dexterous robotic hands can solve practical industrial labor gaps faster than full humanoids.
Mimic is pursuing a hand-first version of physical AI. Its argument is that many valuable industrial tasks need human dexterity far more than they need a full humanoid form factor, so robotic hands plus foundation models can reach deployment faster and at lower cost.
