Point Laz Secures $3M to Revolutionize Mine Safety with AI Scanners

QUEBEC CITY, Jan. 20, 2026 – Point Laz Mining Laser Expertise Inc., a Quebec-based technology firm, has successfully closed a $3 million funding round to accelerate the global adoption of its automated mine shaft inspection technology. The investment, led by venture capital firm i4 Capital Fund with significant participation from Fonds Impulsion, will fuel the production of the company's advanced scanners and the expansion of its AI-driven analytics platform, signaling a major shift towards predictive maintenance in the mining sector.

This capital infusion positions Point Laz to aggressively scale its operations and challenge the decades-old, high-risk practices of manual mine shaft inspections. The company aims to set a new global standard for safety and operational efficiency in an industry where downtime can cost millions and safety is paramount.

The Peril of the Shaft and the Promise of Automation

For generations, the process of inspecting the vital arteries of a mine—its shafts—has been a hazardous and time-consuming necessity. Traditional methods require personnel to physically descend into these deep, often unstable environments, exposing them to a host of dangers including falling debris, toxic gases, and equipment malfunctions. These manual inspections are not only risky but also inherently subjective and can lead to significant operational downtime, halting production for hours at a time.

The industry has long sought a solution that can deliver more accurate, consistent data without putting human lives on the line. Point Laz's technology enters this landscape as a transformative force. By replacing manual labor with high-precision robotics and artificial intelligence, the company eliminates the need for human entry into the shaft for routine inspections. This shift not only drastically improves worker safety but also provides mining operators with a level of data-driven insight previously unattainable, turning maintenance from a reactive chore into a proactive strategy.

Inside the Lazaruss Scanner: A Technological Deep Dive

At the heart of Point Laz's solution is the Lazaruss 3D scanner, a proprietary system engineered to withstand the punishing conditions of an active mine. Built to rugged IP-67 standards with stainless steel components, the device integrates two survey-grade LiDAR sensors and seven high-resolution cameras. During an inspection, which can be completed in under an hour, the scanner is lowered into the shaft, capturing a complete 360-degree digital twin of the environment.

The system generates incredibly detailed 3D point clouds and high-resolution imagery with a remarkable 5mm accuracy for guide alignment. This data is then processed by the company's analytics platform, which uses artificial intelligence and proprietary algorithms to detect minute changes between scans. By comparing current data to previous inspections, the AI can identify subtle deformations, misalignments, or wear and tear long before they become critical failures. The platform automatically generates reports with color-coded heatmaps, allowing engineers to quickly visualize and prioritize areas of concern.

This capability is a game-changer for mine maintenance. Instead of waiting for a visible break or a failure event, operators can predict potential issues and schedule repairs during planned downtime, minimizing disruptions and preventing costly incidents. The company reports its system can reduce weekly shaft downtime by up to seven hours, potentially adding over 300 hours of productive time back to a mine's annual operations.

Strategic Investment Fuels Global Ambitions

The $3 million investment is a powerful endorsement of Point Laz's vision and technology. The round was led by i4 Capital Fund, a firm known for backing breakthrough technologies, which had previously supported Point Laz in an earlier pre-seed round. This follow-on investment underscores their confidence in the company's market potential.

"We're proud to support Alexandre Grenier and the Point Laz team once again," said Jean-François Grenon, Partner and Co-founder of the i4 Capital Fund. "Their unique approach to smart monitoring for the mining industry, along with their market potential, aligns perfectly with i4 Capital Fund's investment strategy. We are confident that Point Laz is on track to become a key player in the mining sector."

Significant participation also came from Fonds Impulsion, a venture capital fund managed by Investissement Québec and financed by the Government of Québec. This strategic partnership highlights a commitment to fostering homegrown innovation and solidifying Québec's position as a hub for advanced industrial technology.

Samuel Poulin, Minister for the Economy and Small and Medium Enterprises, commented on the investment's importance for the region. "The Fonds Impulsion helps fast-track the growth of Québec tech companies like Point Laz. By providing ambitious financial support, we're enabling the development and commercialization of innovative solutions in key sectors for Québec, such as mining. It's through this kind of strategic investment that we build a stronger, future-focused economy."

This sentiment was echoed by Alex Laverdière, Vice President of Venture Capital at Investissement Québec, who noted, "By supporting Point Laz, the Fonds Impulsion is backing a high-growth-potential Québec company whose technology can help advance the mining sector."

For Point Laz, the funding is a critical catalyst. Alexandre Grenier, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, stated that the capital would be instrumental in taking the company to the next level. "The involvement of strategic partners like i4 Capital Fund and Investissement Québec's Fonds Impulsion is a strong endorsement of the value of our technology and our team's vision to digitize and automate mine shaft inspections," said Grenier. "This new capital will allow us to standardize our operations, strengthen our global presence, and better support our clients and partners. It also sends a clear message to the industry: Point Laz is leading the next revolution in mine shaft technology."

Having already inspected over 50 mine shafts across the globe and completed a successful roadshow in South Africa, Point Laz has demonstrated clear international demand. With this new funding, the company is poised to scale up production of the Lazaruss scanner and accelerate the rollout of its AI platform to key mining markets, including Canada, the United States, and Australia. This expansion will not only drive the company's growth but also push the entire mining industry toward a safer, smarter, and more efficient future.