Brighter Super backs Future Maintenance Technologies’ $8m raised on home ground, revolutionising transport maintenance worldwide

Brighter Super CEO Kate Farrar on a recent site visit at FMT alongside Finance Minister Ros Bates, QIC Head of Asia Pacific Crystal Russell and FMT CEO Loic Ayoul

23 March 2026

Brighter Super is supporting Queensland innovation through an investment in Future Maintenance Technologies (FMT), a Brisbane-founded company quietly powering the world’s biggest transport operators with autonomous robotic solutions for asset inspection and maintenance.

The investment forms part of Brighter Super’s $50 million partnership with Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), which mandates backing emerging startups and innovative businesses with strong growth potential.

FMT recently raised $8 million in a Series A funding round led by QIC Ventures, alongside real-asset technology investor Taronga Group. The funding will support the company to capitalise on global interest, accelerating development and scaling into new markets.

As real assets worldwide confront ageing infrastructure, skilled labour shortages and rising safety expectations, automating repetitive tasks is critical to safeguarding operational and financial performance while refocusing talent on higher-value work. Loic Ayoul, FMT’s Chief Executive Officer said “FMT is working toward a fundamental shift in how critical transport assets are maintained, paving the way for a robot-ready future. This vision disrupts the traditional approach by redesigning transport assets as robot-ready, providing both software and robotic hardware to automate all front-line maintenance activities.”

Scaling innovation globally

The company has secured long-term contracts with major transport networks worldwide including Melbourne’s High-Capacity Metro Trains, Dubai Metro and Copenhagen Metro. FMT is also working with Lufthansa on aircraft inspections, Deutsche Bahn and Etihad Rail for rollingstock inspections, and with Rio Tinto on one of the world’s first maintenance robots to improve safety of the heavy haul industry.

Brighter Super Chief Executive Officer Kate Farrar said the investment reflects the fund’s strong commitment to backing the growth of Queensland’s advanced capabilities, in line with the objectives of its Queensland Investment Strategy.

“With more than 85% of our Funds Under Management (FUM) belonging to Queensland members, we believe backing innovative local businesses like FMT aims to deliver strong long-term returns for our members while supporting jobs and economic growth across the state,” Ms Farrar said.

Brighter Super announced its Queensland Investment Strategy in May 2024, pledging to invest a further $500 million in Queensland assets building on the $1 billion the Fund already has invested across the state. The strategy aims to drive sustainable growth and create positive economic outcomes for Brighter Super members and their communities.

FMT’s successful capital raising highlights the calibre of Queensland businesses that the Queensland Investment Strategy is designed to support and scale.

For more information, visit Brighter Super Queensland Investment Strategy.