– MEDIA RELEASE –
UK Private Equity Firm Next Wave Partners Joins Future Maintenance Technologies Institutional Funding Round to Accelerate European Growth
London, UK, August 2026
Future Maintenance Technologies (FMT), the autonomous robotics and AI company transforming maintenance and inspection operations across rail, aviation and industrial infrastructure, has welcomed UK private equity firm Next Wave Partners as a new investor in its recently completed institutional funding round.
The investment sees Next Wave Partners join an institutional shareholder register that includes the Taronga Group and Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC),which led the round. The investment adds a strategic European investor as FMT continues its rapid expansion across the UK, Germany and Denmark.
The transaction was advised by the Corporate Finance team at Bean Partners, led byDamian Woodward and Dr Nick Cronin, who ran a global investor process to attract both Australian and European institutional capital.
FMT has established itself as a leader in autonomous inspection and maintenance technologies, combining robotics, artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to automate traditionally manual maintenance tasks. The company works with major customers including Etihad Rail, Dubai Metro, Lufthansa, DeutscheBahn, Melbourne's High-Capacity Metro Trains, and Copenhagen Metro, and is continuing to secure new contracts across European markets.
The addition of Next Wave Partners provides not only growth capital but also access to a broad network of strategic relationships across Europe as demand for automation solutions continues to increase.
DeanMackenzie, Partner at Next Wave Partners, said:
"We see the European robotics and automation market as being exceptionally attractive over the coming decade. Infrastructure operators, transport networks and industrial asset owners are increasingly looking for solutions that improve safety, efficiency and reliability while addressing ongoing labour shortages.”
Jonathan Brod, Partner at Next Wave Partners, added:
“FMT has developed a highly differentiated technology platform that is already delivering real-world outcomes for customers. With proven deployments, strong commercial momentum and an ambitious leadership team, we believe the company is extremely well positioned to capture a significant share of the maintenance and inspection market as autonomous technologies become increasingly embedded across Europe."
Loic Ayoul, Chief Executive Officer of Future Maintenance Technologies, said:
"Bringing a European investor onto our cap table represents an important strategic milestone for FMT. Beyond the capital invested, Next Wave Partners provides valuable networks, industry expertise and strategic connections that will help support our growth across existing and new European territories.
As we continue to scale internationally, having strong European representation in our shareholder base also helps lay the foundation for future funding rounds and strengthens our position as we build long-term partnerships across the region.
We are seeing significant demand for autonomous maintenance solutions from rail, aviation and industrial customers, and this investment further enhances our ability to execute on that opportunity."
Damian Woodward, CEO and Principal at Bean Partners, commented:
"We are delighted to have successfully run a global process that connected leadingAustralian and European investors to support FMT's next phase of growth.
The addition of Next Wave Partners strengthens an already high-quality institutional shareholder base and provides valuable strategic connectivity into key European markets where FMT is experiencing strong commercial traction.
FMT is exactly the type of company attracting global investor attention, combining world-class technology, proven commercial deployments and a very large addressable market. We look forward to seeing the business continue its expansion across Europe and beyond."
As infrastructure operators increasingly seek autonomous solutions to improve safety, reduce costs and address skilled labour shortages, FMT is positioning itself at the forefront of the transition towards predictive and robot-enabled maintenance. With growing customer adoption across the UK, Germany, Denmark and other international markets, the company is well positioned for its next phase of global growth.
– ENDS –
For further information, please contact:
Aysha Khan
Brand & Marketing Lead
Aysha.khan@thinkfmt.com
