Konnex, a startup developing software infrastructure for autonomous robots, has raised $15 million in funding as it looks to expand its platform for implementing robots across industrial and commercial applications.
The company said the funding came from a group of venture investors including Cogitent Ventures, Liquid Capital, Leland Ventures, Covey, M77 Ventures and Block Maven.
Konnex describes its focus as enabling autonomous robots to be deployed and managed more flexibly, rather than operating as closed, proprietary systems tied to specific vendors or environments.
Jon Ollwerther, CEO of Konnex, says: “Physical work is a $25 trillion economy currently trapped in closed systems.
“With the support of our partners, Konnex is building the key to unlock that value. We are creating a world where autonomous robots work like apps – contracted, verified, and paid – to provide the scalable labor the world desperately needs.”
Targeting fragmented robotics infrastructure
Despite rapid advances in robotics hardware and artificial intelligence, many autonomous systems are still deployed in siloed environments, limiting reuse and scalability. Konnex is positioning its platform as a way to coordinate and verify autonomous work across different robots and operators.
The company frames its approach as an evolution of robotics-as-a-service, where autonomous machines can be contracted, verified, and paid for in a manner similar to software services. Konnex says this would allow robotic labor to be deployed more quickly and scaled across different use cases.
Leadership and background
Konnex’s leadership team includes executives with experience in robotics, drones, and related technology sectors.
Ollwerther previously worked in robotics and drone services businesses including Measure and Aerobo. Strategic supporters and advisors include Brandon Torres Declet, currently CEO of Exyn Technologies, and Lucas Van Oostrum, a specialist in multi-robot coordination and drone swarms.
Use of funds
According to the company, the new funding will be used to expand the Konnex platform, integrate additional hardware partners, and continue development of verification systems intended to support the safe operation of autonomous robots in real-world environments.
As autonomous robots move beyond pilot projects into broader commercial use, companies like Konnex are betting that software coordination and interoperability will become as important as advances in robotics hardware itself.
