BOW Secures £4 Million Seed Investment to Revolutionize Robotics Programming
BOW, the world’s first universal robotics software company, has announced the successful closing of a £4 million seed funding round. The round was spearheaded by Northern Gritstone, an investment firm focusing on science and technology businesses in Northern England. Additional co-investors include Finance Yorkshire and Praetura Ventures, part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II. This funding milestone follows the appointment of Liz Upton, Co-Founder of Raspberry Pi (LSE:RPI), as Chair of BOW’s board in November 2024.
The robotics industry is projected to reach an impressive $260 billion by 2030. Despite its massive potential, widespread adoption is hindered by the high cost and complexity of robot programming—a task that demands specialized expertise. Additionally, robotic applications developed for one type of robot often lack portability to other models, further slowing innovation and adoption.
BOW’s platform, an abbreviation for “Bettering Our Worlds,” offers a groundbreaking solution to these challenges. The company’s robot-agnostic software development kit (SDK) enables developers to program various robots using their preferred operating systems and programming languages, overcoming a key industry bottleneck.
Simplifying Robotics Programming with BOW
Traditionally, robotics programming has been the exclusive domain of highly specialized roboticists. The steep learning curve and lack of cross-platform compatibility have long restricted innovation in the field. BOW’s universal robotics platform levels the playing field by empowering generalist software developers to create, manage, and deploy complex robotics applications without needing specialized knowledge.
The BOW SDK also allows for seamless portability between different robot makes and models. Developers can rapidly create applications, easily port them across various robots, and manage entire robot fleets. This revolutionary approach removes the need for multiple, fragmented programming standards, enabling faster innovation and opening up new opportunities in underserved sectors.
Industry Impact and Use Cases
Robots equipped with the BOW SDK benefit from ultra-fast communications and built-in AI capabilities. By simplifying programming and increasing accessibility, BOW’s platform unlocks valuable use cases in industries that have yet to fully embrace robotics. These include healthcare, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and even entertainment. For example:
- Healthcare: Robots can be programmed to assist with surgeries or automate routine tasks in hospitals.
- Agriculture: Robotics can be deployed for precision farming, harvesting, and monitoring crop health.
- Logistics: Autonomous robots can streamline warehouse operations and last-mile deliveries.
- Manufacturing: Companies can quickly adapt robots for production line changes without extensive reprogramming efforts.
Backing Innovation in the North of England
BOW was spun out from the University of Sheffield in 2020 and has since collaborated with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), system integrators, and software development firms to accelerate robotics innovation. Northern Gritstone’s CEO, Duncan Johnson, highlighted the significance of this funding: “Northern Gritstone is delighted to support BOW’s team, who once again demonstrate that world-leading technology businesses are being created in the North of England. BOW’s groundbreaking robotics platform is a perfect example of innovation in the region born out of the University of Sheffield’s world-class academic research.”
Driving Exponential Growth in Robotics
Nick Thompson, CEO of BOW, emphasized the transformative potential of the company’s platform: “The robotics market is growing fast, but that growth would be exponentially higher if the tremendous cost and complexity of programming robots were reduced. Robotics has an almost unlimited potential to help humanity solve global challenges, but the world simply can’t afford to wait for robotics to standardize around a single operating system and coding language. BOW’s universal software platform and SDK elegantly solve this intractable problem by enabling any software developer to program various types of robots using the coding language of their choice, make portable applications, and enable easy interoperability between any make and model of robot.”
Thompson added that the £4 million seed investment will be instrumental in scaling the company’s operations. The funds will be used to expand BOW’s team, enhance product development, and solidify its commercial presence in the global robotics market.
Transforming the Robotics Landscape
Daniel Camilleri, CTO and Founder of BOW, described the funding as a pivotal moment: “This investment is a defining moment for BOW. It not only validates our vision but also underscores the growing demand for cross-platform compatibility in robotics software. By simplifying robotics programming, we’re opening the door for all developers—not just roboticists—to shape the future of robotics. With BOW software, we’re enabling the ‘there’s an app for that’ revolution within the robotics industry.”
Camilleri’s vision reflects the broader trend of democratizing technology. By breaking down barriers to entry, BOW aims to catalyze a wave of innovation that will bring robotics into everyday life, from homes and workplaces to public infrastructure.
A Testament to Academic Excellence
Professor Sue Hartley, Vice-President for Research and Innovation at the University of Sheffield, highlighted the importance of academic research in fostering innovation: “It is fantastic to see this level of funding being invested into one of our spinout companies. Academics at Sheffield are working at the very forefront of their fields, conducting research that can underpin new businesses and help develop new market-leading technologies. Our University is one of the best in the country for developing IP and commercializing research, and investment such as this from Northern Gritstone is crucial in helping our spinout companies grow.”
Future Outlook
BOW’s universal robotics platform represents a significant leap forward in the industry. By addressing the long-standing challenges of cost, complexity, and interoperability, the company is well-positioned to drive widespread adoption of robotics across multiple sectors. With strong backing from Northern Gritstone and other investors, BOW is set to redefine the robotics landscape and unlock its full potential to solve global challenges.
As the robotics market continues its rapid growth, BOW’s innovative approach to simplifying programming and enabling cross-platform compatibility will be instrumental in shaping the future of the industry. The £4 million seed investment marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for BOW and the broader robotics community.
