Munich-based FERNRIDE, a leader in AI-powered autonomous vehicle systems for industrial and defence logistics, has successfully raised an additional €18 million in its Series A extension, bringing its total funding to an impressive €75 million
Established in 2019 by Hendrik Kramer, FERNRIDE is revolutionizing ground autonomy. The company's comprehensive platform combines vehicle-agnostic hardware with sophisticated software, enabling autonomous operations across diverse and complex environments, including container terminals, yard operations, and open-road trucking. The technology is designed for human oversight, rapid deployment, and seamless integration, allowing vehicles to automate repetitive, high-risk transport tasks, dramatically boosting efficiency and safety. In certified areas like container terminals, their vehicles can even operate without a safety driver. This innovative approach helps organizations reallocate personnel from routine driving to more strategic roles.
The latest funding round was supported by Helantic, a European defence VC firm, renowned investor Thomas Müller, existing shareholders, and a mix of new strategic investors.
The fresh €18 million is earmarked for a significant expansion of FERNRIDE's platform into European defence logistics. The company plans to scale its dual-use solutions, deploying its AI-powered ground autonomy to enhance mission flexibility, address personnel shortages, and, critically, protect lives in high-risk zones.
Hendrik Kramer, CEO and Co-founder of FERNRIDE, emphasized the company's commitment: "With this new investment, we’ll expand our technology platform to serve defence logistics, ensuring safer operations, addressing personnel shortages, and ultimately protecting lives. Now we’re stepping up to serve European defence forces with the same mission: protect lives, boost resilience, and put humans back in control, just not always behind the wheel."
Investor Thomas Müller echoed this sentiment, highlighting the dual-use potential: “FERNRIDE’s technology has already proven itself in civilian logistics, and its high potential to protect lives and strengthen Europe’s defence forces is undeniable. This is exactly the kind of Made-in-Germany innovation we need to ensure technological sovereignty."
This funding signals a major step for FERNRIDE as it translates its proven industrial expertise into the crucial and demanding field of European defence.
The latest funding round was supported by Helantic, a European defence VC firm, renowned investor Thomas Müller, existing shareholders, and a mix of new strategic investors.
The fresh €18 million is earmarked for a significant expansion of FERNRIDE's platform into European defence logistics. The company plans to scale its dual-use solutions, deploying its AI-powered ground autonomy to enhance mission flexibility, address personnel shortages, and, critically, protect lives in high-risk zones.
Hendrik Kramer, CEO and Co-founder of FERNRIDE, emphasized the company's commitment: "With this new investment, we’ll expand our technology platform to serve defence logistics, ensuring safer operations, addressing personnel shortages, and ultimately protecting lives. Now we’re stepping up to serve European defence forces with the same mission: protect lives, boost resilience, and put humans back in control, just not always behind the wheel."
Investor Thomas Müller echoed this sentiment, highlighting the dual-use potential: “FERNRIDE’s technology has already proven itself in civilian logistics, and its high potential to protect lives and strengthen Europe’s defence forces is undeniable. This is exactly the kind of Made-in-Germany innovation we need to ensure technological sovereignty."
This funding signals a major step for FERNRIDE as it translates its proven industrial expertise into the crucial and demanding field of European defence.
No replies