What we can all learn from ERF, the European Robotics Forum
And opportunities for California to lead the way in maritime robotics... maybe
ERF2025 was constant business matching and conversation. Some participants didn’t even make it to the workshops because they were too busy talking to other people in the expo areas. ERF2025, the European Robotics Forum, was a great example of industry and academia jointly incentivized to work together.
Of course I would love to see this happen at a larger, more global scale but unless we suddenly have new economic zones for joint projects I don’t see how. Certainly the USA (or NAFTA) ought to be able to provide a similar level of event, but to my mind the closest is the government and military TechConnect show. Perhaps it’s happening in Asia.
Robotics startups and recent funding in Bay Area
The Bot Company closed a $150M Series A, a household robot startup that is building bots that do chores so you don't have to.
Dexterity raised $95M Series Unknown, for AI-powered robotic solutions for logistics, warehouses, and supply chains.
Dyna Robotics raised $23.5M Seed to automate repetitive, stationary tasks with affordable, intelligent robotic arms
Anyware Robotics raises $12M Seed, for AI-powered mobile robots that autonomously unload boxes in containers and trucks.
Tera AI raises $7.8M Seed, for software-only, platform-agnostic spatial reasoning AI that will allow any robot to use its camera to navigate.
Pave Robotics raises $5M Seed, for robots that repair roads
Aeolus Robotics raises $2.6M Convertible Note, for the first generation of household robot assistants into your life and your home.
General Trajectory raises $500,000 Pre-Seed, for AI models for industrial robots to automate palletization, sorting, picking, and packing tasks.
Proception raises $500,000 Seed, for the development of advanced humanoid robotic hands and robotic systems.
Knightscope raised $1.7M Post-IPO Equity
T-Robotics raises $575,000 Seed, using the inference power to detect and execute tasks based on natural language commands
Augento raises $500,000 Pre-Seed, for Robotics Engineering company that provides turn key solution to customers.
Generalist AI raises undisclosed Seed, formed by a senior researcher who left Google to investigate robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).
Joule Labs raises $275,000 Grant, for Charging Automation as a Service
According to Ignite Capital Partners, Bay Area startups raised more than $1.3 Billion last week, for a total of $9 Billion in March. While that covers ALL startups, I’m pleased to see that 13.3% went to Robotics & Industrial Automation, with possible robotics also in Vehicles & Transportation, Aviation (8.1%) and Biotech, Medical & Medical Devices (19.8%), depending on the datasets used.
Ignite also provided a cautionary for angel investors that I think is worth sharing.
Angel investors, often seasoned tech operators from eras like the dot-com boom or the mobile internet surge, naturally transition toward venture capital. However, the leap from tech expert to successful venture investor is filled with unexpected complexities - the demanding world of due diligence, term sheet negotiations, and high failure rates. Only about 10% of angel investments yield meaningful returns.
Call for Robotics Startups
There are several opportunities for startups at ICRA 2025 - SEE ALL HERE
The TABxStartup Program is one. TAB invites your startup to participate in ICRA 2025 workshops through a new initiative designed to foster collaboration between startups, academia, and industry leaders.
As part of this program, selected startups will receive free registration to attend ICRA 2025 and the opportunity to:
â–¶ Deliver a 10-minute presentation in up to two workshops.
â–¶ Network with leading researchers and industry experts at TC Socials.
â–¶ Increase visibility by showcasing your innovation to a global audience.
🔗 Application Form: https://bit.ly/rastabstartupsicra25
* Please check the workshop information here.
You may apply to up to three workshops, and we will work to match you with the most relevant sessions. The final selection will be confirmed by the workshop chairs.
We believe this initiative presents a unique chance for startups to gain insights, build relationships, and drive innovation at the intersection of research and industry.
For any questions reach out to TAB ASSISTANT RAS.TAB.VP@GMAIL.COM
Apply Now for the Vogue Singapore x BMW Innovation Prize 2025
Brinc is proud to be the programme partner for the Vogue Singapore x BMW Innovation Prize 2025! With a focus on sustainability, technology, and circular innovation, we will be delivering a curated bootcamp on fundraising, commercialization, and brand building to help founders sharpen their go-to-market strategies, access global investors, and tap into real-world growth.
Shortlisted founders will:
Compete for international recognition, investment opportunities, and a generous prize package
Gain insight from global leaders like Corey Moran (Google) and Annie Lindmark (H&M Foundation)
Receive tailored mentorship and pitch to top investors and industry experts
Applications close April 13, 2025! LEARN MORE & APPLY NOW
The IARA incubator in Guangzhou is holding an online startup showcase featuring companies from around the world. Date/time to be confirmed but in about 2 weeks. If you’re interested, email me - andra@robotlaunch.com
The IERA Award is calling for submissions, deadline May 31st, if you are world class in robotics innovation and commercialization. The award is hosted by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) and the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Industry Activities Board. Previous winners include many famous names.
ROSCon Diversity Scholarships! Apply by April 18th
Send me your community news to share!
Robotics News
US robotics companies push for national strategy, including a central office, to compete with China - APNews
SoftBank Looks At Investing $1 Trillion For US AI Push With Robot-Run Industrial Parks - Nikkei
Why robotics and physical AI will likely have revenue impact earlier than expected - Investing.com
Nvidia-Backed Scale AI Reportedly Eyes $25 Billion Valuation in Tender Offer Amid Explosive Demand or Labeled Data and Machine Learning Tools - Benzinga
Here’s a deeper look at robotics startup and Apollo-maker Apptronik - Investing.com
Serve Robotics CEO Ali Kashani on the future of last mile logistics - The Robot Report
China has shaky upper hand in battle of the robots - Reuters
U.S. Tech Giants Betting Big On Humanoid Robots - But China Builds Them Better - MITechNews
Robots to the rescue: Autonomous innovation to serve the greater good - TechXplore
Autonomous undersea warfare is here - and it’s changing everything - HII Newsroom
The controversial California city backed by tech elite has a new plan: boats - The Guardian
Firefly Aerospace Selects Blue Origin’s Honeybee Robotics to Provide Rover for Lunar Mission to Gruithuisen Domes - Firefly Space
Cygnus Departs Station After Release from Robotic Arm - NASA
3 women share advice for navigating the robotics industry - The Robot Report
Women in Tech: A Singular Robotics Journey - Machine Design
Robotics Events
Online Prototype to Product Workshop - early May
Automate Detroit May 12-15
ICRA 2025 Atlanta Georgia 17 May - 23 May 2025
SVR Robotics Leadership Summit
Robotics Invest Boston - June 10-11 ?
CVPR Nashville Tennessee - June 11-15
Hard Tech Venture Summit & Startup Manufacturing Workshop - June 18-19
Future Monozukuri Osaka Japan 16 July -19 July 2025
SVR Robotics Investment Summit​
Join the organizing team at Silicon Valley Robotics - bots&beer@svrobo.org
