A Finnish infrastructure technology firm has secured €2m in seed funding to expand its AI-driven underground mapping platform across Europe.
Groundhawk, based in Espoo, said the investment will support its growth into new European markets and further development of its spatial intelligence technology. The funding round was led by Greencode Ventures and 2C Ventures.
The company develops software that enables utilities providers and contractors to digitally map underground infrastructure in real time during construction. Its platform uses high-precision satellite positioning, 3D scanning and artificial intelligence to capture data with what is said to be centimetre-level accuracy while trenches remain open.
Industry estimates suggest inaccurate or outdated records of underground cables and pipes contribute to more than €100bn in damage globally each year, alongside delays and safety risks. Groundhawk’s approach seeks to replace traditional post-construction surveys, which often rely on estimates or manual measurements taken after sites have been closed.
Christoffer Winquist, chief executive and co-founder, said the technology allows construction teams to document installations as they happen. “Groundhawk is so user-friendly that anyone already on site with the device can handle the cable mapping. If you can shoot a video with your mobile phone, you can use Groundhawk. This accelerates the entire project,” he said.
The system captures depth measurements, installation details and visual records, which are then synchronised to a cloud-based platform. This enables project managers and network operators to monitor progress and verify quality in real time, rather than relying on retrospective surveys.
According to the company, the platform can reduce surveying costs by up to 50% while improving oversight of contractor performance. By embedding quality assurance directly into construction workflows, it also aims to identify errors early and reduce the need for rework.
Winquist said the wider infrastructure sector was undergoing a shift towards digitalisation. “Today, hundreds of cables run under our feet wherever we go, keeping society running, but even the companies that own them don’t know exactly where they all are,” he said. “By capturing precise 3D data at the moment of construction, we improve build quality today and protect critical networks for decades to come.”
The funding comes amid significant investment in energy and communications infrastructure across Europe and the United States, driven by fibre broadband expansion, electric vehicle charging networks and renewable energy integration. Industry forecasts indicate more than €1 trillion will be spent on grid infrastructure over the next five years.
Groundhawk said inefficiencies linked to poor data, coordination issues and quality failures currently account for more than 20% of construction costs in the sector. Its platform is designed to address these challenges by improving data accuracy and accessibility.
The company already works with several Nordic and European contractors, including Eltel Networks, as well as Voimatel, Elvera and Signal Group. These firms in turn serve network operators such as Telia, Telenor and E.on.
Seppo Rytilä, head of HSSEQ at Eltel Networks, said the technology had changed how projects are managed.
“Previously, we relied on external surveyors measuring trenches after they were closed, resulting in delays and imprecise data,” Rytilä said. “Now, our crews capture accurate location, depth and visual quality data within minutes while the trench is still open.”
Beyond operational efficiencies, Groundhawk said its platform could support environmental targets by reducing unnecessary site visits, cutting fuel use and limiting emissions associated with rework.
Ines Bergmann-Nolting, managing partner at Greencode Ventures, said the firm’s early progress had demonstrated its potential: “As networks expand and regulations tighten, Groundhawk becomes the essential interface between physical construction and digital infrastructure.”
Groundhawk said it aims to establish its system as a standard for infrastructure data capture across Europe, with ambitions to expand further from 2027.
Main image: Groundhawk mapping system being used at ground level
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