The genesis of Gecko Robotics, a leading AI and robotics company, traces back to an unlikely source: a gecko scaling a shower wall in a Costa Rican rainforest. This seemingly trivial observation, made during a backpacking trip in 2013 by then electrical engineering student Jake Loosararian, sparked the name and ultimately the vision for a company that would revolutionize industrial inspection.
Loosararian’s entrepreneurial journey took a decisive turn after a visit to a Pittsburgh power plant. Witnessing firsthand the perilous conditions, outdated infrastructure, and inherent dangers faced by workers conducting manual inspections, he recognized a critical need for innovation. The stark reality of a recent fatality at the plant underscored the urgency for a safer, more efficient solution. This experience solidified his resolve to develop a robotic alternative.
Driven by this purpose, Loosararian began constructing a wall-climbing robot in his dorm room. Equipped with ultrasonic sensors, the initial prototype was designed to perform comprehensive structural analyses, much like a sonogram for steel structures. Despite numerous setbacks and countless hours spent troubleshooting in the challenging environment of power plants, armed with a soldering kit and a Raspberry Pi, he persevered. His persistence culminated in a breakthrough, identifying a critical structural flaw and saving the company millions of dollars. This success validated his vision and laid the groundwork for Gecko Robotics.
Overcoming Early Challenges and Building a Robotics Powerhouse
Today, Gecko Robotics develops advanced robots and software that power Cantilever, their AI-driven operations platform. Cantilever manages over 500,000 critical assets, ranging from power plants and bridges to U.S. Navy ships. The journey, however, was far from easy.
Venturing into the industrial sector with a hardware-focused robotics startup was considered by many venture capitalists as “a great way to fail.” Loosararian faced significant hurdles, enduring financial hardship and personal sacrifices while bootstrapping the company for years. Sleeping on a friend’s floor and depleting his savings to a mere $100, he persisted, fueled by the importance of his mission and the lack of viable alternatives in the market.
A pivotal moment arrived in late 2015 when a college friend, Troy Demmer, suggested a meeting with a venture partner from Y Combinator. This connection proved transformative. Gecko Robotics secured a $125,000 investment for a 7% stake, valuing the company at nearly $1.8 million. This infusion of capital, coupled with Demmer joining as co-founder, marked a turning point, propelling Gecko Robotics towards its current position as a leader in industrial automation and inspection. The company’s success underscores the power of perseverance, innovation, and a commitment to addressing critical challenges in the industrial world. From a rainforest inspiration to a robotic revolution, Gecko Robotics continues to redefine the future of infrastructure inspection and maintenance.
