US venture capital in robotics

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to report on the US venture capital (VC) industry's data findings on robotics.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of unique reports by the National Venture Capital Association and three interviews with US VC firms are presented.

Findings

Since robotics spreads across many different types of automation and industries, companies looking for venture capitalists may fare better by grouping within the industry category that they serve rather than by classifying themselves under the sole “robotic” industrial product classification.

Originality/value

This paper researches the terminology in‐depth and data surrounding US published reports on robotics and VC. A unique report by the National Venture Capital Association was compiled for the purpose of this paper. The original responses of three interviews with representatives from US VC firms are also published here.

Citation

Pransky, J. (2008), "US venture capital in robotics", Industrial Robot, Vol. 35 No. 3, pp. 198-201. https://doi.org/10.1108/01439910810868499