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Petra develops advanced robotics for underground utility infrastructure. The company’s core offering is an innovative undergrounding robot, including its semi-autonomous thermal drilling system named Swifty, engineered to bore utility tunnels through extremely hard rock formations. This technology provides a practical and affordable solution for installing critical infrastructure where conventional methods are cost-prohibitive or technically challenging.
The company was formed with the insight that existing tunneling technologies struggled with diverse and challenging geologies, particularly hard rock. Led by CEO Kim Abrams, Petra positioned itself as the first robotics company dedicated specifically to undergrounding utilities. Its development focuses on overcoming geological barriers to enable broader utility deployment.
Petra serves the utility sector, providing the means to bury essential services such as power and communication lines. Their vision centers on making the undergrounding of utilities more efficient, accessible, and resilient. By addressing the complexities of diverse ground conditions, Petra aims to enhance infrastructure reliability and safety against environmental threats.
Petra has raised $30.0M across 1 funding round.
Petra has raised $30.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Petra has raised $30.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $30.0M Series A in November 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1, 2021 | $30M Series A | Dcvc (data Collective) | ACME Capital, Chris Boshuizen, Tekfen Ventures, Dylan Taylor, Earthshot Ventures, First Round Capital, Future Ventures, Jeff Seibert, LUX Capital, Renegade Partners, Space Capital, Wayne Chang, Zachary Bogue, 8VC, Congruent Ventures, Elementum Ventures, MAC Venture Capital, Real Ventures | Announced |
Petra has raised $30.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Petra's investors include DCVC (Data Collective), ACME Capital, Chris Boshuizen, Tekfen Ventures, Dylan Taylor, Earthshot Ventures, First Round Capital, Future Ventures, Jeff Seibert, Lux Capital, Renegade Partners, Space Capital.
Petra refers to multiple technology entities, but the most innovative and venture-backed is Petra (petra.cc), a portfolio company developing trenchless machinery to underground utilities in challenging geologies like hard rock and boulders.[3] It builds specialized boring machines that enable scalable, eco-friendly utility installations, serving utilities, governments, and communities facing disaster-prone or difficult terrains.[3] This solves the high-cost and risk of burying infrastructure—exacerbated by events like wildfires and storms—by de-risking projects and making undergrounding affordable globally, with a team experienced in robotics from NASA, Tesla, and Stanford.[3]
Other entities include Petra Software Ind. (Egypt-based web and ERP developer)[1] and Petra Technologies (US managed IT provider in Salem, OR, focused on SMB networks since ~1980).[2][4][6] Petra (petra.cc) shows strongest growth momentum via its unique hardware focus amid rising infrastructure demands.[3]
Petra (petra.cc) emerged from founders' expertise in robotics and trenchless tech, with CEO Kim founding her second robotics firm after seed backing from Lemnos Labs.[3] Key leaders include Chief Product Officer Shivani Torres (ex-Intuitive Surgical, Carbon 3D), plus Roberto Zillante, Daniel Zillante, and Craig Allan (30+ years in trenchless industry).[3] The idea crystallized post-disasters highlighting above-ground utility vulnerabilities; the team—spanning NASA, Tesla, Stanford, and Purdue—raised $100M+ prior for hardware ventures, pivoting to solve "nightmare geologies" with integrated boring tech.[3] Early traction stems from proprietary machines now deemed the "world's most versatile and green" for utility tunnels.[3]
Petra Software Ind. originated in Asyut, Egypt, as a customer-centric software firm emphasizing web apps, e-commerce, and ERP.[1] Petra Technologies started ~1980 in Salem, OR (or Santa Clara per some records), evolving into managed IT for SMBs with proactive monitoring.[2][4][5][6]
Petra (petra.cc) stands out in utility infrastructure via:
Comparatively, Petra Software Ind. differentiates on flexible, innovative custom software (web/mobile/ERP) with international standards at low cost.[1] Petra Technologies excels in SMB IT via 30+ years of proactive monitoring, fast response, simple communication, and services like VoIP/cybersecurity.[2][6]
| Entity | Key Differentiator | Target Market |
|---|---|---|
| Petra (petra.cc) | Geology-agnostic boring machines | Utilities/infra projects |
| Petra Software | Custom dev + consulting | Businesses needing apps/ERP |
| Petra Tech (Salem) | Managed IT + monitoring | SMBs |
Petra (petra.cc) rides the infrastructure hardening trend, fueled by climate disasters (wildfires, floods) exposing above-ground utilities' fragility—utilities must underground to meet resilience mandates.[3] Timing aligns with $1T+ US infra bills and global electrification pushes, where rocky/coastal geologies block progress; Petra's tools unlock these by slashing costs 50-70% via trenchless methods.[3] It influences ecosystems by partnering with utilities, de-risking projects, and inspiring robotics in construction—mirroring Tesla/NASA hardware disruption in civils.[3]
Others play niche roles: Petra Software aids emerging-market digitalization via affordable dev.[1] Petra Technologies bolsters SMB productivity amid cyber threats, leveraging US IT partnerships (Dell/HP).[2][6]
Petra (petra.cc) is poised to dominate trenchless utility tech as disasters intensify and net-zero grids demand buried lines—expect pilots scaling to contracts with PG&E-style utilities, plus Series A/B funding on $100M+ team cred.[3] Trends like AI-optimized boring and regulatory pushes for resilience will accelerate adoption, evolving Petra into a $B+ infra-robotics leader. This ties back to its core: transforming "impossible" burials into routine, keeping communities lit and connected.[3]
