Robohub.org
 

$160 million for VC-Funded robotic projects in 2011


by
05 March 2012



share this:

… One roboticist’s opinion why VC funding for robotics is a tough nut to crack: projects have large capital requirements, few potential acquirers and little “Google-scale” IPO prospects.
… $160 million is a far cry from the $6.9 billion that went into 997 VC funded deals in web and Internet startup companies in 2011.
… Most money went to a company that uses a robot to provide image-guided technology for hair follicle harvesting.
… Read about all 14 companies here.
… This list doesn’t mention the many acquisitions, strategic partnerships and mergers that occurred. The most recent two are the $18 million acquisition of French Cybernetix by Technip, an oil resources and ROV service provider to the industry, and the $100 million acquisition of Aldebaran Robotics by Softbanks (see preceding article).



tags:


Frank Tobe is the owner and publisher of The Robot Report, and is also a panel member for Robohub's Robotics by Invitation series.
Frank Tobe is the owner and publisher of The Robot Report, and is also a panel member for Robohub's Robotics by Invitation series.

            AUAI is supported by:



Subscribe to Robohub newsletter on substack



Related posts :

Robot Talk Episode 163 – Robots helping people, with Aaron Edsinger

  25 Sep 2026
In the first episode of Robot Talk season 7, Claire chatted to Aaron Edsinger from Hello Robot about their Stretch robots that can help people with mobility issues live more independently.

An open source approach to physical AI from Intrinsic

  25 Sep 2026
Find out more about the capabilities of Intrinsic Core.

What’s coming up at #IROS2026?

  24 Sep 2026
Find out what the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems has in store.

Robotics roadmaps from around the world spotlight of the month: China

China is targeting the next industrial revolution by doubling down on embodied AI and humanoid robotics, building directly on its vast manufacturing infrastructure.

Mars rovers give scientists a ground-level view of the red planet – peek inside their NASA control room

  21 Sep 2026
NASA created Curiosity to search for evidence of ancient habitable environments.

Reimagining robotics for sustainability

  18 Sep 2026
"Our ambition is not to simply make robots more sustainable; they must actively contribute to solving sustainability challenges."

Watch the ICRA keynote and plenary talks

  16 Sep 2026
If you missed the conference you can catch up on IEEE TV.


↑


AUAI is supported by:







Subscribe to Robohub newsletter on substack




 















©2026.05 - Association for the Understanding of Artificial Intelligence