SOSV invested in Danu Robotics after assembly the startup throughout a matchmaking occasion. | Credit score: Danu Robotics
SOSV, an early-stage deep-tech investor, is launching its first Robotics Matchup on Dec. 1–5. The web occasion is designed to attach early-stage robotics startups with buyers. SOSV, which has already produced matchups in local weather, well being, and industrial tech, mentioned the format gives a extra environment friendly different to demo days and conventional fundraising.
The launch comes at an fascinating second for robotics funding. Investor enthusiasm has not too long ago concentrated round humanoids and “bodily AI,” whereas many different robotics classes face longer fundraising cycles.
Ben Joffe, senior accomplice at SOSV, mentioned the aim is to democratize deal move by matching founders constructing commercially-grounded methods with buyers actively deploying capital.
As of press time, SOSV mentioned greater than 200 buyers and 100 startups had registered for the Robotics Matchup. Information from earlier matchups suggests the format is unusually efficient at serving to individuals shut offers. Amongst buyers registered for the Robotics Matchup at press time, SOSV mentioned 56% have participated in earlier SOSV matchups, and 43% of these have invested in not less than one startup they met throughout a matchup. Joffe mentioned SOSV has invested in 10 corporations it encountered by way of matchups, together with Danu Robotics (waste sorting) and Namu Robotics (reforestation).
Amongst registered startups, 20% have participated in previous matchups, and 68% of these have obtained funding from an investor they met there.
Weeklong digital matchmaking
The Robotics Matchup is totally on-line and structured round curated 1:1 conferences. Every founder–investor assembly lasts 20 minutes. If either side wish to proceed, they schedule follow-ups independently.
“It’s very troublesome for founders to know who’s eager about robotics. Should you take a look at present databases like PitchBook and CrunchBase, you may have an image of the previous, however you don’t actually know who desires to put money into robotics as we speak,” Joffe mentioned. “Even if you happen to discover a agency title, you don’t essentially have the title of a person you’ll be able to attain out to. This platform saves founders many, many hours of analysis.”
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When signing up for the Robotics Matchup, buyers outline their standards —- stage, geography, verticals, robotics classes, verify dimension, and {hardware} vs. software program focus — whereas founders present corresponding particulars about their expertise and traction. Founders can filter buyers by sector and verify dimension, whereas buyers can overview startups earlier than accepting a gathering, guaranteeing booked conversations replicate real curiosity.
SOSV additionally gives a spreadsheet itemizing each taking part investor and startup. This works as sortable databases and have change into a key useful resource for founders, Joffe mentioned, who can wrestle to establish which funds are really energetic in robotics.
“There are some nice in-person occasions, however they are usually a bit expensive,” Joffe mentioned. “We didn’t discover something on-line that was corresponding to what we wished to do. So that is an occasion with no talks—only a pure networking and matchmaking platform to assist founders within the classes we cowl join with potential buyers.”
Navigating a troublesome fundraising surroundings
Participation is free. Any robotics startup from pre-Seed by way of Sequence B can apply, and any certified investor is welcome to hitch. In accordance with SOSV, the open mannequin is intentional.
“Robotics fundraising stays troublesome, notably for groups tackling complicated {hardware} issues,” Joffe mentioned. “Many generalist VCs lack deep expertise in manufacturing, provide chain, and {hardware} improvement cycles, and promising startups typically wrestle to achieve the appropriate buyers on the proper time.”
SOSV usually invests at pre-Seed with checks as much as $500,000. Joffe mentioned the agency has lengthy targeted on democratizing the funding panorama as a result of it wants different corporations to steer the bigger rounds.
“We’d like these different buyers,” he mentioned. “And for founders, the extra info and the broader the choice of buyers they will entry, the higher for the ecosystem.”
Joffe mentioned SOSV is cautious about general-purpose humanoid robots, favoring robotics corporations with outlined clients and near-term commercialization paths.
“It’s a second in time now – persons are enthusiastic about humanoids,” he mentioned. “However usually we’ve seen robotics corporations succeed once they have a selected use case. For instance, one in every of our portfolio corporations, Neptune Robotics, not too long ago raised a $52 million spherical. Their robots clear ship hulls to enhance efficiency and scale back drag. We search for robotics corporations with a really clear use case, a transparent profit for the top buyer, and a transparent ROI.”
