With manufacturing facing mounting pressure from factory downtime that has skyrocketed by 319% globally since 2019, Zurich-based AI startup Cerrion has risen to the challenge, securing €15.6 million in Series A funding to scale its innovative AI video-agent platform. From my perspective as a serial entrepreneur deeply involved in deeptech and AI ventures, this funding represents a pivotal moment not just for Cerrion, but for the broader European tech landscape.
What’s Happening in Manufacturing?
Globally, unplanned downtime is a significant pain point for manufacturers, costing the industry a staggering €1.21 trillion annually (or $1.4 trillion). This increase of 319% is being driven by rising energy costs and increasingly complex supply chains. For industries like automotive, downtime costs can amount to €2.1 million per hour, while heavy manufacturing grapples with figures nearly fourfold higher.
Cerrion's contribution is timely; their video-agent AI detects production line issues in real time, helping manufacturers prevent costly disruptions, improve efficiency, and enhance safety.
The €15.6 Million Funding Round
Led by venture capital powerhouse Creandum, Cerrion’s Series A funding sees participation from Y Combinator, Goat Capital, and a cadre of angel investors including industry heavyweights like Harry Stebbings (20VC) and Marc Maurer (ex-CEO of On Running). This diverse investor base underscores the growing consensus around AI-led transformation in manufacturing.
What’s particularly interesting is how this funding will be deployed:
- Expand Platform Integration: Beyond vision-based monitoring, Cerrion plans to extend its capabilities across a wider variety of manufacturing processes.
- Double Headcount: Growth will focus on team expansion in Europe and the US to meet increasing demand.
- Accelerate Market Penetration: With technology already deployed across three continents, this funding aims to deepen its presence in different sectors.
Why Cerrion Matters: A Brief Analysis
Having spent years helping startups develop scalable AI solutions, I see Cerrion’s AI platform as an example of leveraging "domain-specific AI" in a way that solves acute industrial challenges. Instead of merely offering general AI tools, Cerrion deploys highly specialized video agents capable of integration with standard factory monitoring systems. This approach is ideal for factories that need adaptable, plug-and-play solutions.
Notable Simplified Features:
- Real-time Issue Detection: AI agents autonomously scan for process deviations, quality concerns, and safety hazards.
- Actionable Interventions: Machines can be slowed or stopped instantly based on AI recommendations.
- Proven Results: Current customers, like Unilever and Schott Zwiesel, report measurable reductions in downtime and scrap losses.
To understand how this platform shapes modern factories, check out these real-world use cases of AI in manufacturing.
Top Insights: The European AI Manufacturing Surge
This funding round for Cerrion is part of a larger wave as Europe pivots to increasingly specialized AI applications in manufacturing. Key examples include:
- CloEE (Finland): Raised €520k for discrete-manufacturing AI.
- CERPRO (Germany): Secured €2 million to improve industrial QA software.
- Bonx (France): Netted €7.3 million to build AI-driven ERP tools.
Add Cerrion’s €15.6 million, and 2025 funding activity within AI-driven manufacturing tools amounts to €31.9 million. Europe’s commitment to specialized AI innovation is capturing global attention, a trend I believe will define the next phase of industrial automation.
A Practical Guide for Startup Founders Interested in Industrial AI
Scaling a deeptech or AI startup in manufacturing isn’t easy, believe me, I’ve been there. Here’s my 5-step guide based on my experience (and lessons from Cerrion’s growth):
- Simplify Adoption: Offer tools that integrate seamlessly with legacy systems, like Cerrion’s plug-and-play approach for factory cameras.
- Quantify Impact: From day one, demonstrate how your product can cut costs or improve efficiency. Brands like Unilever don’t buy ideas, they buy results.
- Build Ecosystems: Collaborate with complementary tech or workflow providers to show versatility. Cerrion’s expansion beyond vision-based monitoring exemplifies this.
- Fund Wisely: Align your funding partners with your mission. Like Cerrion tapped industry-relevant VCs, ensure you partner with firms that understand your niche.
- Rapid Prototyping: Never let your ideas sit idle, AI models and features should evolve alongside changing industry trends.
For more tips on scaling AI startups globally, check out Europe’s AI-powered innovations article from EU-Startups.
Most Common Mistakes AI Manufacturing Startups Make
As someone who’s created AI projects in technical industries, I’ve seen too many startups fail to scale. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Over-Engineering Solutions: Aim for simplicity and functionality, not bloated features that stall adoption.
- Underestimating Sales Cycles: Manufacturers move slower than tech companies; plan for elongated decision timelines.
- Ignoring Human Expertise: AI can’t replace people, it should empower factory workers rather than compete against their decision-making.
Closing Thoughts: The Bigger Picture
Cerrion’s €15.6 million funding signals a significant shift in the manufacturing landscape. For entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators looking to explore similar sectors, follow these trends closely. AI-driven manufacturing isn’t just about automating, it’s about creating smarter, safer, and more productive ecosystems.
Want to explore how domain-specific AI can transform industries? Dive deeper into Cerrion’s approach to manufacturing efficiency to see what’s possible, or better yet, start building your own AI-powered tools to tackle evolving industry challenges.
Cerrion’s journey is undeniably inspiring, showcasing how European-funded innovators can transform traditional industries with cutting-edge tech. Next time I meet a founder at EU Startups events or tech incubators, I’ll point them to this success story as a blueprint for scaling in specialized industrial sectors.
FAQ
1. What problem does Cerrion aim to solve in manufacturing?
Cerrion addresses the issue of unplanned factory downtime, which has risen globally by 319% since 2019, costing manufacturers €1.21 trillion annually. Its AI video-agent platform detects and resolves production line issues in real-time. Learn more about Cerrion’s platform
2. How much funding did Cerrion secure and who were the participants?
Cerrion raised €15.6 million in Series A funding led by Creandum, with participation from Y Combinator, Goat Capital, 10x Founders, and angel investors such as Harry Stebbings (20VC) and Marc Maurer (ex-CEO of On Running). Discover Cerrion’s funding journey
3. What are the main features of Cerrion’s AI technology?
Cerrion’s AI video agents autonomously monitor standard factory cameras for process deviations, quality issues, and safety hazards, providing actionable real-time interventions such as slowing or stopping machines instantly. Explore Cerrion’s AI capabilities
4. How does factory downtime impact the manufacturing sector financially?
Unplanned factory downtime costs manufacturers €1.6 million per hour in sectors like automotive and fourfold higher in heavy manufacturing, amounting to €1.21 trillion globally. Learn more about the cost of downtime
5. What are Cerrion’s planned uses for the Series A funding?
The funding will expand platform integrations beyond vision-based monitoring, double the team size in Europe and the US, and deepen market penetration across sectors and continents. Discover Cerrion’s expansion plans
6. What industries currently benefit from Cerrion’s platform?
Cerrion’s technology is actively used in glass, food, timber, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) sectors, working with customers like Unilever and Schott Zwiesel. Explore use cases for Cerrion
7. What is domain-specific AI, and how does Cerrion contribute to this trend?
Domain-specific AI targets specialized industry issues. Cerrion exemplifies this trend by integrating adaptable, plug-and-play AI tools for manufacturing, helping solve acute production challenges. Discover the domain-specific AI trend
8. What other European startups are innovating in AI manufacturing?
Startups like CloEE (€520k, Finland), CERPRO (€2 million, Germany), and Bonx (€7.3 million, France) are also advancing AI applications in manufacturing. Check out European AI startups
9. Who founded Cerrion and what is their background?
Cerrion was founded by Karim Saleh and Nikolay Kobyshev. Saleh is a serial entrepreneur and ex-captain of Egypt’s Water Polo team, while Kobyshev founded Assaia, an AI platform for airports. Learn more about the founders
10. What is the broader impact of AI in manufacturing according to experts?
AI-driven solutions like Cerrion’s platform reduce downtime, improve safety, and eliminate waste, representing a pivotal transformation in industrial automation across Europe and globally. Learn more about the future of AI in manufacturing
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.