10 Leading Angel Investors in Robotics
Raising capital for your robotics company? We've identified 10 active angel investors to help you find the right partners for your startup's growth.
Rho Editorial Team
Angel investor funding in robotics can provide the essential capital and industry connections needed to develop your product and scale your operations.
Notable backers in the robotics industry include Matt Murphy, Sam Baker, Steve Goldberg, and David Krane, who have supported various startups.
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For founders in robotics and automation, securing early capital is a critical step. Understanding who the key angel investors are can make your fundraising process more effective.
Unlike many venture capital firms, angel investors typically invest their own funds and can offer valuable early-stage guidance.
To help you identify the right partners, we've put together this list of notable angel investors active in the robotics sector.
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Top Robotics Angel Investors By Stage
Angel investors in robotics often get involved at the pre-seed and seed stages, where they can offer guidance and capital to promising companies early on.
Knowing who these investors are and what stages they focus on will help you find the right financial partners for your startup.
Pre-seed Angel Investors in Robotics
Pre-seed is the earliest of the startup funding types, often used to validate an idea and build a minimum viable product (MVP). For robotics startups at this stage, investors to consider include Sven Strohband and Sebastien de Halleux.
Seed Stage Angel Investors in Robotics
Seed funding helps your startup with initial market research, product development, and team expansion, making it a critical time to find angel investors. Notable investors in robotics at this stage include David Krane, Cyril Ebersweiler, and Shelley Zhuang.
Series A Angel Investors in Robotics
Series A funding is for startups with a proven product and is used to scale operations and optimize the business model. Some investors active in robotics at this stage include Sam Baker, Zach Malone, and Sungjoon Cho.
Series B Angel Investors in Robotics
Series B funding is focused on expansion, helping companies grow their market share and scale the team to meet demand. You might find investors like Matt Murphy, Steve Goldberg, and Sven Strohband participating in this round.
Keep in mind that many investors are flexible and participate in multiple funding rounds. An investor who focuses on seed-stage companies may also join a Series A or B round for a company they believe in.
Here is a closer look at some of the top angel investors in the robotics sector. We've included key details about their investment stages, areas of focus, and location to help you identify potential partners for your startup.
1. Matt Murphy
Matt Murphy is a partner at Menlo Ventures, where he invests across several technology sectors, including robotics. He is recognized for his work with enterprise and SaaS companies, guiding them through significant growth phases.
He participates in funding rounds from Seed to Series B, with a clear interest in AI, cloud infrastructure, and developer tools. His involvement in multiple funding rounds for companies like Harness and Zylo shows a tendency to support founders long-term.
Founders developing enterprise software, particularly in AI or robotics, may find a good partner in Matt. His approach seems well-suited for startups needing a capital partner who can continue to invest as the company scales.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Robotics, AI, Cloud Infrastructure, SaaS, FinTech
- Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
- Ideal investment range: $8.0M - $15.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Harness, Envoy, Cleanlab
You can find more information about Matt Murphy on his firm's website or LinkedIn.
2. Sam Baker
Sam Baker is an associate at Scale Venture Partners, where he focuses on technology companies in sectors including robotics and cybersecurity. His background includes roles at Box and Tilt.com, giving him experience in growth and strategic planning.
He primarily participates in Seed and Series A rounds, with an interest in SMB software and marketplaces. His typical investment range suggests involvement in substantial early-stage funding rounds as part of a larger firm.
Founders building robotics or enterprise software startups and raising a Seed or Series A round may find a good partner in Sam. His background in growth strategy could be especially helpful for companies preparing to scale their operations.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Robotics, Cybersecurity, Marketplaces, SMB Software
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $5.0M - $15.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: HUMAN, ProcessUnity
You can find more information about Sam Baker on his firm's website or LinkedIn.
3. Steve Goldberg
Steve Goldberg is an angel investor with a background as an Operating Partner at Venrock, where he spent over a decade. His investment activity shows a focus on hardware, IoT, and robotics companies.
He typically participates in Series A and B rounds, which is later than many individual angels. His investment range of $10K to $100K suggests he often joins funding rounds as a co-investor rather than leading them.
Founders with hardware-focused startups raising later-stage rounds could find a valuable partner in Steve. His extensive operational experience from his time at Venrock could be particularly useful for companies looking to scale.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Hardware, IoT, Robotics
- Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
- Ideal investment range: $10K - $100K
- Notable portfolio companies: Quantenna Communications, Canesta
You can find more information about Steve Goldberg on his LinkedIn or Crunchbase profile.
4. David Krane
David Krane is the CEO and Managing Partner at GV, formerly Google Ventures. He is known for leading one of the most active corporate venture funds and has a long history with Google, where he started in 2000.
He invests across multiple stages from Seed to Series B, with an interest in sectors like AI, robotics, and enterprise software. His investment in companies like Uber highlights his role in backing businesses that achieve significant scale.
Founders seeking a partner with substantial capital and deep ties to the Google ecosystem may find a strong fit with David. His firm's large investment size is well-suited for startups with ambitious growth plans and a clear path to market leadership.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Robotics, AI, SaaS, FinTech, AgTech, Enterprise
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $250K - $50.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Uber, Kitchen United, Freshtohome
You can find more information about David Krane on his firm's website or LinkedIn.
5. Sungjoon Cho
Sungjoon Cho is a Principal at D20 Capital, a venture firm that invests in early-stage technology companies. His background includes experience at other venture capital firms, giving him a firm-centric approach to investing.
His investment activity shows a clear interest in robotics, logistics, and transportation technology at the Seed and Series A stages. His participation in the funding for Bear Flag Robotics, an autonomous tractor company, points to a focus on businesses applying robotics to traditional industries.
Founders building startups in the robotics or logistics sectors and raising an early-stage round could find a good partner in Sungjoon. His firm's investment range suggests they can be a significant capital partner for companies ready to grow.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Robotics, Logistics, TransportationTech
- Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $10.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Bear Flag Robotics
You can find more information about Sungjoon Cho on his firm's website or LinkedIn.
6. Sven Strohband
Sven Strohband is a managing partner at Khosla Ventures, where he focuses on companies in deep tech and AI. He is known for backing businesses that are working on complex technical problems, particularly in robotics and automation.
His investment activity shows a willingness to support companies from their earliest stages through significant growth, participating in rounds from Pre-seed to Series B. His continued investment in companies like Collaborative Robotics across multiple rounds indicates a preference for building long-term partnerships with founders.
Founders building robotics or AI companies with ambitious technical roadmaps may find a strong partner in Sven. His firm's ability to write large checks and support companies through multiple funding stages is ideal for startups with high capital needs.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Robotics, AI, Space, Enterprise Infrastructure, Impact
- Geographical presence: Mountain View, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $50.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Collaborative Robotics, Nomagic, Daedalus
You can find more information about Sven Strohband on his firm's website or LinkedIn.
7. Sebastien de Halleux
Sebastien de Halleux is a Founding Partner at Graph Ventures and has a background as both a founder and an operator. His experience includes co-founding the gaming company Playfish and serving as COO for the drone company Saildrone.
He invests across a broad range of industries, including robotics, gaming, and ClimateTech, typically at the pre-seed and seed stages. His history as an operator suggests he can provide practical guidance on building and scaling a business, with investments like Regent and MightyFly showing an interest in mobility and automation.
Founders looking for a partner with deep operational experience, especially those building early-stage companies, may find a strong ally in Sebastien. His background is well-suited for entrepreneurs who value hands-on advice from someone who has been in their shoes.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Robotics, Games, ClimateTech, FinTech, Enterprise
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $250K
- Notable portfolio companies: Regent, MightyFly, ClearSpace
You can find more information about Sebastien de Halleux on his firm's website or LinkedIn.
8. Zach Malone
Zach Malone is a Principal at Draper Triangle Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Pittsburgh. His role indicates he brings the resources and network of an established firm to his investment decisions.
He participates in Seed and Series A rounds across several sectors, with interests in robotics, SaaS, and medical devices. His investment in Locomation, an autonomous trucking company, shows an interest in robotics applications for traditional industries.
Founders in the Midwest building companies in enterprise software or robotics may find a good partner in Zach. His focus on early-stage rounds suggests he is comfortable with companies that are still refining their product and market strategy.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Robotics, SaaS, Medical Devices, Enterprise, IoT
- Geographical presence: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Ideal investment range: $500K - $3.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Locomation, Ikos, Thread
You can find more information about Zach Malone on his firm's website or LinkedIn.
9. Cyril Ebersweiler
Cyril Ebersweiler is a General Partner at the venture capital firm SOSV, where he founded HAX, an accelerator program for hard tech startups. He is known for his extensive work with early-stage hardware, robotics, and deep tech companies.
A key aspect of his approach is the sheer volume of investments, reflecting his role at the helm of an active accelerator. He focuses on Seed and Series A rounds, with portfolio companies like Particle and xRobotics showing a clear interest in foundational hardware and robotics platforms.
Founders with early-stage hardware or robotics companies could be a strong match, particularly if they are looking for the structured support an accelerator provides. His focus is ideal for companies seeking initial capital and hands-on guidance to bring a physical product to market.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Robotics, Hardware, BioTech, Digital Health
- Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
- Ideal investment range: $250K - $5.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Particle, xRobotics, Tensorfield Agriculture
You can find more information about Cyril Ebersweiler on his firm's website or LinkedIn.
10. Shelley Zhuang
Shelley Zhuang is a Founding Partner at 112 Capital, a venture firm that invests in early-stage deep tech companies. She has a background as an angel investor with the Berkeley Angel Network and is known for backing businesses with strong technical foundations.
Her investment activity shows a clear focus on sectors like robotics, AI, and biotech at the Seed and Series A stages. Her firm's investment in companies like Coalesce Automation suggests an interest in businesses applying automation to complex problems.
Founders with deep tech startups, especially in robotics or AI, may find a good partner in Shelley. Her firm's approach seems well-suited for companies that have a strong technical team and are looking for early-stage capital.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Robotics, AI, BioTech, Space, Security
- Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $10.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Coalesce Automation, HUMAN
You can find more information about Shelley Zhuang on her firm's website or LinkedIn.
What Startup Founders Should Look for in a Robotics Investor
Finding the right investor goes beyond the check they write. Many of the investors on our list are partners at established firms, meaning they bring a firm's network and resources, not just personal funds. This can be a significant advantage for scaling your operations.
As you can see, many investors are interested in robotics as it intersects with AI, enterprise software, and other deep tech fields. While there's a strong concentration of Bay Area investors, opportunities exist across the country, so focus on finding an investor whose portfolio shows a genuine interest in your specific application.
Finally, align your funding stage with an investor's focus. Whether you're raising a pre-seed round or a Series A, look for partners with experience at your level. An investor who can support you through multiple rounds can become a valuable long-term ally for your hardware startup.
Raise Confidently with Rho
Fundraising requires significant time and focus, making a targeted list of investors invaluable. It allows you to direct your efforts toward partners who are already aligned with your vision.
If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. Our platform provides integrated business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay to manage your new capital efficiently.
With a solid financial foundation, you can put your angel investment to work on growth and operations. This frees you from manual financial administration and keeps your focus on building your company.
FAQs about Robotics Angel Investors
Are there robotics angel investors outside of the Bay Area?
Yes. While Silicon Valley is a major hub, you can find robotics investors in other tech centers. Cities like Boston and New York have growing ecosystems with angels interested in deep tech and automation.
What do robotics investors look for besides a strong team?
Investors want to see a clear market need and evidence of early traction, even if it's just a functional prototype. A well-defined business model and understanding of your unit economics are also critical for securing funding.
How important is a prototype for a robotics startup?
A prototype is very important. For hardware-focused companies, a working model demonstrates technical feasibility and helps investors visualize your product's potential. It proves you can execute on your vision beyond the initial concept or pitch deck.
Do robotics angel investors also fund related software?
Many do. Investors often see robotics as part of a larger system that includes AI, machine learning, and SaaS components. If your software is integral to an automation solution, it will likely be of interest.
What is the difference between an angel and a seed-stage VC?
Angels typically invest their own money and may be more flexible, while seed-stage VCs manage a fund's capital. VCs often write larger checks and may have more formal processes for investment decisions and post-investment support.
How can I manage my funds after a successful angel round?
Once you've secured capital, our platform helps you manage it effectively. Rho offers integrated business banking, corporate cards, and expense management, so you can focus on building your company instead of financial admin.