RISE Robotics Raises $1.5 Million and Oversubscribes Community Round, Signaling Surging Momentum for Zero-Emission, Automation-Ready Heavy Machinery
Having built BeltdraulicTM, a high-performance, high-efficiency, and automation-ready alternative to outdated analog hydraulics, RISE Robotics is building faster, cleaner, and smarter machines in the $600B heavy machinery industry.
April 22, 2025 - Somerville, MA - RISE Robotics, the venture-backed startup pioneering the electrification and automation of heavy machinery, announced that it has raised $1.5 million from more than 770 retail investors through a Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) round on Wefunder. The investment round oversubscribed within hours of announcing RISE was selected for U.S. Air Force’s $46 Billion EWAAC Contract Vehicle. Retail investors have invested alongside Syndicate Lead Walter Winshall, KingsCrowd Capital, and existing institutional investors including MIT’s The Engine, Fortistar Capital, and Techstars, from which the company has previously raised more than $22M. $12M was raised at the same terms as the Reg CF round.
RISE Robotics has built a unique technological offering that promises to electrify hydraulics in the heavy machinery industry:
“For many applications in the heavy machinery industry, our solution is a no-brainer,” said Blake Sessions, CTO & Co-founder of RISE Robotics. “We’ve built a superior technology, with up to 3x higher efficiency, 3x faster execution, 50% lower operating costs, and free from messy pollutants like oil and diesel, when compared to the outdated analog hydraulics in the market today.”
RISE Robotics was founded by MIT mechanical engineers Blake Sessions, Aaron Acosta, and Toomas Sepp, alongside Rhode Island School of Design Kyle Dell’Aquila. The group was later joined by industry veterans Tom Phelps (COO, prev. Endeavour Robotics, iRobot, Accion Systems) and Hiten Sonpal (CEO, prev. iRobot, Electric Sheep), both bringing years of experience in scaling production and sales to the growing company.
“We’re thrilled by the overwhelmingly positive response we’ve received from retail investors,” said Hiten Sonpal, CEO of RISE Robotics. “Throughout the years, we’ve had many engineers and collaborators that have seen first-hand the value of what we’re building reach out and wanting to be a part of our journey - this community round is a unique way for us to give them that opportunity and for RISE fans to become co-owners in our journey.”
For more information about RISE Robotics and their Reg CF round, visit wefunder.com/riserobotics.
About RISE Robotics:
RISE is a technology company based in Somerville, Massachusetts, that is replacing hydraulics in the $600B heavy machinery industry. Their unique BeltdraulicTM technology, underpinned by more than 20 granted patents, promises a future free from pollutants like oil and diesel and with superior performance compared to outdated, analog hydraulics in the market today. RISE has generated more than $7.3M in development and product revenue, working with industry-leading clients such as The Gates Foundation, The US Air Force, Danfoss, Anthony Liftgates, and more. RISE is backed by MIT’s The Engine, Fortistar Capital, Techstars, and many accomplished angel investors. For more information, please visit riserobotics.com.
