deeplify, a Bochum-based AI-native inspection software provider, has raised €2M ($2.3M) in pre-seed funding led by D11Z Ventures, with participation from Vanagon, EWOR, and strategic investors. The platform, deeplify inspect, digitizes and automates non-destructive testing (NDT) workflows from planning and data integration to AI analysis and reporting. The capital will modernize safety-critical inspection processes for asset owners in energy, chemicals, and infrastructure.
AI NDT Funding Heats Up
The round arrives amid rising investor interest in AI for industrial inspections. Octobotics raised ~$1.2M in seed funding in February 2026 for AI-enabled NDT robotics targeting oil & gas. deeplify's software-first approach complements hardware innovations by focusing on end-to-end workflow automation across RT, UT, and MPI methods.
Excel Era Risks Infrastructure
Critical sectors like energy and chemicals rely on manual, Excel-based NDT processes despite advanced sensors. Aging pipelines and refineries demand frequent inspections, but outdated workflows lead to errors and delays. Europe's chemical sector alone has around 31k companies managing ageing assets, per coverage of the raise.
Multimodal AI Digitizes Workflows
deeplify inspect integrates radiographic testing (RT), ultrasonic testing (UT), and magnetic particle inspection (MPI) data into a unified platform. AI assists in defect detection, automates reporting, and enables continuous learning from inspector feedback. The solution reduces analysis time by up to 70% and errors by 66%, according to announcements.
As CEO Jan Löwer noted:
"We have the most advanced software for digital-first workflows, but when it comes to determining if a high-pressure pipeline is safe, the industry is often still stuck in the past."
Human-in-Loop Boosts Accuracy
Unlike siloed tools, deeplify supports human-in-loop collaboration, ensuring compliance with standards like DIN. Partnerships with Karl Deutsch for MPI and pilots with SKF validate the platform. First deployment at Open Grid Europe, Germany's largest gas transmission operator, demonstrates real-world traction serving clients like Shell via partners.
Deep Tech Investors Validate
deeplify attracted D11Z Ventures for its focus on heavy industry digitization, alongside EWOR fellows among founders. Investors highlight the team's blend of AI, NDT standards, and energy operations expertise. This mix signals conviction in software scaling amid hardware-heavy NDT incumbents.
NDT Market Scales to $46B
The global NDT market stands at $21.28B in 2024, projected to reach $45.97B by 2033 at 9.2% CAGR, driven by safety regulations and infrastructure maintenance. AI integration accelerates adoption in refineries and pipelines. deeplify positions as a software leader amid robotics peers like Planys, which raised $12M for underwater NDT.
Energy Ops Team Drives Fit
Co-founders bring targeted pedigrees: CEO Jan Löwer serves on DIN's AI in NDT committee; COO Christoph Siemer held sales and EV infrastructure roles at bp; CTO Felix Asanger developed computer vision at Cerrion, an $18M-raised manufacturing defect detection startup. All are EWOR fellows, adding elite accelerator credibility. Their prior ventures in industrial AI and energy ops enable compliant, scalable NDT software.
Hiring Signals Product Expansion
Post-funding, deeplify seeks founding full-stack and Munich-based engineers to build generative AI co-pilots. Expansions target eddy current, acoustic emission, and sensor fusion modules. Government-funded GenAI4ZfP project with RWTH Aachen advances multimodal AI for inspections.