Sicilian Deeptech Startup Archimede Secures €1.5 Million for Industrial IoT Mesh Connectivity Platform

Archimede, a newly established deep-tech startup based in Siracusa, Sicily, has raised €1.5 million in seed-stage funding to accelerate the commercialisation of its ArchMesh platform, an open-source mesh connectivity system designed for industrial and remote IoT applications.

The funding will support product development and the expansion of both hardware and software capabilities as the company scales its operations. Founded in 2024, Archimede is positioning itself in the competitive landscape of industrial connectivity solutions by combining multiple wireless technologies—Bluetooth, LoRa, Wi-Fi and satellite links—into a unified, low-power system.

Targeting Industrial Monitoring and Remote Infrastructure

The startup’s core offering addresses a persistent challenge in industrial operations: maintaining reliable connectivity and control systems in geographically remote or challenging environments where traditional infrastructure proves difficult or expensive to deploy. This capability proves particularly valuable for sectors including energy, utilities and manufacturing, where monitoring and remote management of distributed assets remains critical to operations.

The company has already begun translating its technology into real-world applications. CEO Riccardo Puglisi revealed the status of early collaborations, stating that “we already have some collaborations – including one with ENI that started in September as a POC and is designed to improve monitoring of refinery plants,” according to statements made to Startupbusiness.

This partnership with energy major ENI, one of Europe’s largest oil and gas companies, serves as a proof-of-concept for monitoring capabilities within refinery operations. The collaboration underscores potential demand for Archimede’s approach in sectors requiring sophisticated asset monitoring across distributed and often challenging physical environments.

Building European Deeptech Capabilities

The funding injection represents another instance of European venture capital backing deep-tech initiatives focused on infrastructure and connectivity challenges. Archimede’s development of mesh-based systems reflects broader industry trends toward decentralised, resilient connectivity solutions that can function effectively where conventional networks remain impractical.

The company’s emphasis on open-source architecture and multi-protocol integration suggests positioning as a platform provider rather than a single-purpose solution vendor. This approach may appeal to industrial operators seeking flexible connectivity infrastructure that avoids vendor lock-in while supporting legacy and emerging wireless standards.

The startup plans to leverage the funding to pursue additional industrial collaborations beyond the current ENI engagement, suggesting a pipeline of potential customers within the energy and industrial sectors. The combination of satellite links with shorter-range protocols like LoRa and Bluetooth reflects an engineering approach designed to maintain connectivity across varying geographical and environmental conditions.

As European industrial sectors increasingly prioritise digital transformation and remote asset management, startups developing robust, cost-effective connectivity solutions occupy a meaningful position within the broader deeptech ecosystem. Archimede’s focus on low-energy mesh systems for hard-to-reach infrastructure aligns with growing demand for IoT solutions that function reliably without requiring extensive ground-based network investment.

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