OTIV announces €9 Million investment to automate the backbone of sustainable transport

OTIV, the fastest growing tech scale-up in Belgium, specialized in assisted-, remote-, and fully autonomous driving technologies for the rail sector, today announces a €9 million growth investment co-led by Miles Ahead and existing investors SHIFT Invest and Finindus. The investment accelerates OTIV's mission to transform rail into the backbone of sustainable transport through intelligent automation. Proceeds of the investment will be used to further deploy commercial products and develop fully autonomous trains.

Founded in Ghent in 2020 by Sam De Smet and Niels Van Damme, OTIV is Belgium's fastest-growing tech scale-up according to Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 (2025). The company is rapidly emerging as a leader in rail-automation technology, offering a three-step solution to convert rail operations from assisted driving to tele-operation and ultimately full autonomy. Their modular platform, which includes driver-assistance systems, remote-control solutions, and fully autonomous deployment, is tailored for three core markets: industrial rail (such as steel works and chemical sites), urban transit (tram networks), and main-line networks for both freight and passenger traffic. Active across a growing international footprint of countries, OTIV collaborates with major players such as Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, and ArcelorMittal, enabling safe and efficient automation of rail vehicles in complex environments.

In line with its commitment to sustainability, OTIV sees rail as the backbone of a low-emission transport future: a single train can replace up to 50 trucks while generating nine times less CO₂, making the shift to rail a powerful lever to meet climate targets. By automating rail operations, OTIV not only tackles the critical driver shortage and boosts productivity but also unlocks the potential for 24/7 operations, improved reliability, and increased safety. Their vision positions automation not as an end in itself, but as a practical catalyst for a modal shift from road to rail - a step that holds enormous benefits for our cities, industry, and the planet.

“We are extremely grateful to the clients and partners who put their daily trust in our solutions,” say Sam De Smet and Niels Van Damme, founders of OTIV. “This funding marks an important milestone in our journey to make rail the backbone of sustainable transport. It allows us to accelerate our growth, expand internationally, and further advance automation technologies that help our customers achieve their safety, efficiency, and sustainability goals.”

“Miles Ahead is proud to support OTIV as they redefine the future of rail automation,” said Luc Burgelman, Founding Partner at Miles Ahead. “The team has showcased exceptional capability to translate cutting-edge technology into real-world impact. With a strong track record and proven solutions already deployed across key international rail markets, OTIV is perfectly positioned to make driving safer, more efficient, and more sustainable for rail operations worldwide.”