Exclaim Robotics Launches with $4.95 Million to Automate Data Center Maintenance
Exclaim Robotics, a promising startup from Zurich, has officially launched after securing $4.95 million in seed funding. The investment was co-led by Playfair Capital and Founderful, aiming to create AI-powered robots that can handle data center maintenance—work that is becoming increasingly difficult for human workers to manage.
Founder’s Journey
Helen Oleynikova, the founder of Exclaim Robotics, transitioned from her role at ETH Zürich in January 2026 to dedicate herself fully to this venture. Having accumulated 15 years of experience in robotics with major companies like Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia, she has a solid foundation for her new company. During her time at Microsoft’s Mixed Reality and AI Lab in Zurich, she gained valuable insights into the intricate challenges faced in maintaining Azure data centers.
She is joined by founding engineer Patrick Pfreundschuh, who also earned his PhD from ETH Zürich. Two additional engineers, who have collaborated with Helen for years, are set to join the team in 2027.
Innovative Technology
Exclaim’s robots are designed to autonomously navigate data halls, locate server racks, and perform essential maintenance tasks without needing changes to the building’s layout. The initial focus is on cleaning and replacing fiber-optic connectors, small network transceivers, copper cabling, and malfunctioning drives.
While companies like Boost Robotics and Watney Robotics are developing similar technologies for data centers, Exclaim aims to offer a more comprehensive service by focusing on hands-on repairs within live systems.
Growing Market and Investment Interest
According to Research and Markets, the global data center robotics market was valued at approximately $13.7 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to around $44.2 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 21.6%. This expanding market has attracted significant interest from investors, including Playfair, which has previously co-led funding rounds for robotics ventures in Zurich, such as Ascento, known for its autonomous security patrol robots.
As data center operators invest in increasingly larger and complex facilities, the need for automated maintenance solutions is becoming more critical. Exclaim Robotics is well-positioned to contribute to Europe’s burgeoning robotics ecosystem, focusing on AI systems designed for infrastructure and industrial applications.
