Middlesbrough-based robotics startup Nippybot has raised an undisclosed angel funding round as it prepares to expand the deployment of its autonomous delivery robots across the UK. Based in the Tees Valley, Nippybot is developing autonomous robots designed to tackle practical last-mile logistics challenges by moving food, parcels and other goods over short distances. The new investment will support the production of additional Nippybot robots, further development of the company’s technology and the expansion of its commercial partnerships and real-world deployments.
Nippybot is targeting environments where short-distance movement of goods happens repeatedly throughout the day, including logistics operations, hospitals, universities, business parks and other controlled sites. The company is already exploring deployment opportunities with organisations across several of these sectors as it moves from technology development towards wider commercial adoption.
Samson Adewole, Founder and CEO of Nippybot, said: “We started Nippybot because we saw an opportunity to build autonomous delivery robots around real operational problems rather than simply building technology for the sake of it.
“This investment allows us to move faster. We can build more robots, put them into real environments and work closely with organisations to understand where autonomous delivery can create measurable value.
“For us, the next chapter isn’t about demonstrating that a robot can move from A to B. It’s about proving that autonomous delivery can become a reliable part of everyday logistics.”
Nippybot’s technology combines autonomous navigation with remote operational capabilities, providing human oversight when required while allowing robots to independently complete delivery journeys.
The funding comes as Nippybot increases its activity across the Tees Valley and beyond, using the region as a base from which to develop, test and commercialise its technology.
Samson believes building the company in the North East provides an opportunity to demonstrate that advanced robotics businesses do not need to be concentrated in London or other established technology hubs.
He added: “We’re proud to be building Nippybot from Middlesbrough. There is a growing technology and innovation ecosystem here, and we want Nippybot to be another example of the kind of globally relevant technology that can be built in the Tees Valley.
“Our focus now is deployment. Every site gives us new operational data, new challenges to solve and an opportunity to make the platform stronger.”
