Munich-based startup ClearOps just closed an €8.6 million Series A round, and it’s targeting a problem that costs industrial businesses billions every year. When a machine breaks down on a construction site or farm, every idle hour is money lost. ClearOps is building the platform that connects manufacturers, dealers, and service partners so those machines stay running.
The round was led by Hitachi Ventures, with participation from Schoeller Group and Barkawi Group. This is the company’s first institutional capital raise.
The Problem is Real:
Industrial OEM after-sales has always been fragmented. Manufacturers, their dealer networks, and service partners often run on separate systems that don’t communicate. The result is parts shortages, delayed repairs, and frustrated customers.
ClearOps sits in the middle of that network as a coordination layer. It doesn’t replace the systems already in place. Instead, it pulls data from across the service supply chain and uses AI to predict demand, automate workflows, and help teams execute faster. That’s the core idea behind calling it an AI operating system for OEM after-sales.
Numbers that Stand Out:
The platform already has real scale behind it. ClearOps supports thousands of connected dealers and millions of machines worldwide, working with leading industrial manufacturers including AGCO, Terex, Jungheinrich, and Lippert.
The operational results across customer networks are concrete. ClearOps has increased parts availability by up to 40%, driven 5 to 15% growth in parts sales, and reduced repair times by up to two days. For any OEM managing a global dealer network, those are meaningful numbers.
Who Backed this Round:
Hitachi Ventures led the round, which carries real strategic weight. As the investment arm of a major industrial technology company, they bring more than capital. Their partner Pete Bastien described ClearOps as building the operational intelligence layer needed for the next era of service operations, combining AI, data, and execution in one platform.
Schoeller Group brings deep logistics and global supply chain experience. Barkawi Group, which supported ClearOps from early on, contributes decades of after-sales and service supply chain expertise. The investor lineup reflects that this isn’t just a software bet. It’s a bet on transforming how industrial service networks actually operate.
How the Funding Gets Used:
The Series A funding will primarily support ClearOps’ global expansion, with significant investments into go-to-market capabilities, strategic ecosystem partnerships, and the continued advancement of the company’s AI platform.
The company is also deepening its AI capabilities so OEMs and dealers can move beyond just predicting demand. The goal is to automate and orchestrate complex parts and service operations across global networks. For operators interested in how AI is changing industrial supply chain management, this is the direction the market is heading.
The Broader Market Shift:
OEM service operations have historically been underinvested in despite being one of the highest-margin segments a manufacturer runs. After-sales keeps machines moving, drives customer loyalty, and represents one of the largest profitability drivers for OEMs and dealers alike.
As machines become more connected and customers expect higher uptime, the gap between manufacturers that run manual processes and those that use intelligent platforms is widening. ClearOps is positioning itself as the infrastructure layer for that shift.
Headquartered in Munich, with additional operations in Lisbon, Atlanta, and San José, ClearOps employs approximately 60 people globally. For founders and operators building in the industrial software space, ClearOps is a useful case study in how vertical AI platforms can find traction by solving coordination problems that legacy systems haven’t touched.
