Meet Nimrod, CEO & Founder of Robonnement AG

Tell us more about Robonnement

Robonnement democratizes robotics through a subscription model that allows companies of any size to access advanced automation without upfront investment. We deploy autonomous service and industrial robots across Switzerland, Germany, and beyond.

Please give some more details of your startup story: what was the “aha” moment that led to the idea for your startup?

The turning point came when I saw how many SMEs wanted robots but could not afford the high entry costs or lacked the technical expertise. I realised that the real innovation was not another robot, but a model that made robotics accessible, simple, and risk-free for everyone.

So, what’s next for you, what’s a bold goal you’re chasing right now?

Our next goal is to scale Robonnement into Europe’s leading robotics subscription platform. We aim to surpass 500 deployed robots, expand our industrial automation vertical, and consolidate our position as the easiest gateway for SMEs to adopt robotics.

Which decision had the most unexpected positive impact on your startup?

Choosing to bootstrap during the first years forced us to stay extremely customer-driven. Instead of building based on assumptions, every improvement came from real-world usage. That discipline shaped our culture and made our product market fit unusually strong.

How did you build your team, and what helps you maintain your startup culture?

I built the team by bringing in people who believed in the mission before the company looked successful. Our culture is maintained through transparency, ownership, and a shared conviction that robotics should improve human work, not replace it.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? What are your biggest learnings?

I would raise funds and hire key leadership earlier. In the beginning, you try to do everything yourself, but real scale comes from trusting specialists. My biggest learning is that momentum comes from focus and strategic support, not from doing everything at once.

Building a startup requires resilience, how do you stay focused during tough times?

I stay focused by returning to my core vision: building a world where robots take on hazardous work so people do not have to. My team keeps me grounded, and we face challenges together. I also reset through sauna rituals and occasional retreats with like-minded people to gain clarity and perspective.

One piece of advice for someone who is just starting out with their startup?

Start with the customer, not the product. Solve a painful problem, validate it early, and iterate fast. Do not wait for perfect conditions, they do not exist. Start small, but start now. Dream and do.

What’s your outlook on the future of the Swiss startup scene, and how can it compete internationally?

Switzerland has world-class talent and infrastructure. To compete internationally, we need faster adoption of risk-taking, stronger collaboration between industry and startups, and more visibility for scale-ups, not only early-stage innovation. We need to be bolder.

What value do you see in being part of the Swiss Startup Association?

The Swiss Startup Association creates a united voice for founders and offers a network that accelerates learning. Personally, I value the exchange with entrepreneurs facing similar challenges. Professionally, it connects us with other startups and top talent.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Robotics is entering every industry faster than expected. My message is simple: do not wait until competitors automate. Explore robotics early, as it is becoming as essential as software was 20 years ago. And if anyone wants to learn more, I am always open for a coffee.

Follow Nimrod on LinkedIn!