miros, a startup founded in 2023 as a spin-off from the EPFL ecosystem, has raised €1.1 million (CHF 1 million) in a pre-seed funding round backed by business angels.
The company is developing connected work pods designed to provide private, flexible workspaces in public and semi-public environments. The funding will support the expansion of its pod network and further development of its integrated platform.
What The Company Does
miros builds connected work pods that combine physical infrastructure with a digital platform, enabling users to locate, book, and access spaces through a mobile application. The solution is designed to address the growing need for flexible work environments, particularly in high-traffic locations such as transport hubs, event venues, and public institutions.
The pods are developed in collaboration with Lausanne-based furniture brand Lakabi and manufactured in Switzerland through a partnership with Ducommun Menuisiers. The company is also advancing a version made entirely from Swiss wood, supported by the Canton of Vaud, reflecting a focus on local sourcing and sustainable production.
Beyond individual units, miros positions its product as part of a broader approach to modular and on-demand real estate infrastructure, where physical spaces can be dynamically allocated based on user demand.
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Market Context / Industry Background
The rise of hybrid and mobile work has increased demand for flexible, short-term workspace solutions outside traditional offices. At the same time, many commercial and public spaces remain underutilised, creating an opportunity to optimise real estate through modular and technology-enabled solutions.
In Europe, innovation in workspace infrastructure is increasingly aligned with sustainability and efficiency goals, including the use of locally sourced materials and the optimisation of existing assets. Solutions such as connected work pods reflect a shift toward decentralised and on-demand workspace models, particularly in urban and transit environments.
Founder / Investor Commentary
Founder and CEO Dr Fabio Zuliani highlighted the broader vision behind the company, explaining that the pods represent only the initial step in a larger strategy. He noted that the ambition is to rethink how commercial real estate can become more flexible, modular, and accessible on demand, adding that early deployments across Switzerland and internationally are already demonstrating the viability of this approach.
Growth Plans / Use Of Funds
The newly raised capital will be used to scale miros’ network of connected work pods across Switzerland, with a target of deploying more than 100 units by the end of 2026. The company also plans to expand partnerships and accelerate product development.
Since launch, miros has deployed 15 pods and collaborated with organisations including SwissTech Convention Centre, Beaulieu, and Hôpital Riviera-Chablais. It has also tested its solution through Geneva Airport’s GVA Runway Lab programme, validating product-market fit in real-world conditions.
Internationally, the company has installed a pod at Village by Crédit Agricole in Toulouse, marking its first step outside Switzerland. These deployments have contributed to early validation, with several hundred hours of usage recorded.
Further partnerships are expected to be announced as the company continues to expand its footprint.
About miros
miros is a Swiss startup focused on workspace optimisation through connected infrastructure. Founded in 2023 and headquartered in Lausanne, the company develops IoT-enabled work pods supported by AI-driven systems. Its mission is to transform underutilised spaces into flexible, efficient environments that meet the evolving needs of modern, mobile professionals.
