Pittsburgh startup Gecko Robotics is on a fast track to become one of the leaders in the developing field of industrial inspection and AI-powered robotics.
Since its establishment in 2016 by Jake Loosararian and Troy Demmer, the company has transformed from a college-dorm project into a billions-strong juggernaut. But past the headlines, just how strong is Gecko as a company to work for, invest in, or partner with?
How Much Did Gecko Robotics Raise?
Gecko raised a Series D round of $125 million in 2025, bringing the total raised to over $347 million, following a Series C round of $173 million in late 2023. That explosive growth valued the firm at $1.25 billion.
Now the business is a unicorn, working not only on inspection challenges in agriculture, but also in sectors like defense, energy, and manufacturing.
Its product offering—most notably robots which can navigate walls, crawl, swim, and fly—is enabled by its Cantilever AI platform, which provides actionable data for maximum efficiency and safety.
The importance of Gecko’s technology becomes apparent with its recognition as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in 2024 and among the top 30 disruptors on key innovation lists in 2025.
A Company with Real-World Impact
Gecko’s robots are not prototypes — they perform mission-critical work: inspecting military vessels, power plants, oil and gas infrastructure, and other vital assets.
A recent energy-sector contract worth $100 million highlights how its global span is widening. In the UAE, Gecko is opening the first of its regional offices and is poised to create hundreds of high-tech jobs to serve its expanding global client base.
Strengths and Risks
Strengths:
• Deep domain expertise: Gecko’s robots are capable of inspecting highly complex industrial assets using state-of-the-art sensors and AI.
• Strong capital support: $347M+ funding raised across a variety of funding rounds to date.
• Worldwide reach: Currently conducting business in North America, the Middle East, etc.
• Enterprise-level traction: Deals with the U.S. military and big energy companies are a signal of trust at scale.
Risks:
• Execution on growth: Going global requires hiring talent, navigating regulation, and scaling infrastructure.
• Liability exposure: A bad inspection on a critical infrastructure site can have large implications.
• Price of innovation: The R&D necessary to develop top-of-the-line robotics is costly and must continuously evolve to remain competitive.
What Employees Say
Gecko Robotics is rated an average of 3.4 out of 5 on employee review platforms, with just over half of employees saying they would recommend it.
Positive feedback includes:
• Work that matters
• Strong engineering culture
• Mission and innovation
But a number of employees have complained about the organizational structure and work-life balance, which are fairly typical growing pains for a high-growth startup.
Former employees have posted conflicting reviews on independent chat boards. While they praised the technology and the mission, some cited internal organizational problems and worries about execution.
Final Thoughts
Gecko Robotics is an exciting company — the product of a powerful mix of significant technical innovation, strong go-to-market fit, and an emerging gravitational field of success. With a blue-chip investing team, its valuation and client list reflect trust and momentum.
Costs rise to a different level when you go global, though. Talent acquisition, operational stability, and execution in high-stakes environments will ultimately shape the company’s long-term trajectory.
Gecko Robotics gets a strong buy as a high-growth enterprise with a bold strategy and the results to back it up – though not without the standard growing pains of a tech firm on the rise.