Ai4 is a US based startup company who have developed a unique, vehicle-based data acquisition platform, which provides LiDAR data and imagery through powerful automated intelligence processing software. The data acquisition can be targeted flexibly with no lead times and results integrated directly into customer software, producing rapid and actionable results for the user. This drastically reduces cost and time to outcome of vegetation management and electricity grid inspection missions.
Sharper Shape is a US based growth company with Finnish roots. The company provides automated inspection software for energy utilities, linking data from various data acquisition sources to a Living Digital Twin with real-time updates. Sharper Shape’s automated inspection software is used by tier 1 utilities in transmission and distribution assets globally with data collected from more than 60 000 kilometers of power line corridor.
The acquisition of Ai4 Technologies further enhances the technical capabilities of Sharper Shape and supports the development of their industry-leading digital twin technology increasing grid safety and reliability while reducing carbon emissions. The transaction reflects well the continuous growth of Sharper Shape winning significant contracts from utility customers and expanding its team in the US and Finland.
The managing director of Grid.vc, Jussi Teijonsalo sees lots of potential synergies and benefits in this transaction. “Ai4’s ground-based mobile lidar complements Sharper Shape’s data acquisition and digital twin solution very well. We are proud to have become shareholders in Sharper Shape and see great potential in the company, which has a best-in-class service offering for intelligent asset management for energy utilities. This transaction will help both companies to grow faster than they would have been able to do without this transaction.”
Grid.vc was among the first investors in Ai4, supporting the company development from the prototype stage onwards. We want to congratulate the Ai4 team for all the good work and achievements they have made so far and wish them and the whole of Sharper Shape team the best of success also in the future.