The RoboBusiness Convention is a key occasion for anybody concerned within the robotics and automation industries. MassRobotics was proud, as soon as once more, to be a part of the convention by providing the Robotics Startup Bootcamp. This two-part workshop aimed to equip aspiring robotics founders with the information, methods, and insights wanted to beat the distinctive challenges of constructing and scaling a robotics firm. The bootcamp offered recommendation from specialists and real-world founders who’ve navigated the advanced panorama of the robotics sector.
Half 1: The Fundamentals – Greatest Practices for Early-Stage Robotics Firms
Beginning a robotics firm presents an array of challenges. Not solely do robotics startups have to grapple with the standard difficulties that include any new enterprise, equivalent to discovering clients, elevating capital, and managing operations, however the extra complexities of working with {hardware} and cutting-edge know-how could make it all of the harder.
Joyce Sidopoulos, cofounder and Chief of Operations at MassRobotics, kicked off the bootcamp by setting the stage for the discussions forward. Joyce shared insights on the function MassRobotics performs in accelerating robotics know-how, commercialization, and adoption. Since opening its doorways in 2017, MassRobotics has labored with over 200 robotics startups from all over the world, serving to them increase over $1.1 billion in enterprise capital.
Joyce confused that one of the vital essential parts for any startup is discovering the proper assist on the proper time. Robotics startups, particularly, must be nimble and proactive in in search of skilled providers as they develop. Whether or not it’s authorized recommendation for mental property (IP) safety, advertising methods to boost consciousness, or enterprise growth with massive firms, each step of the journey requires cautious consideration and the correct experience.
The session featured 4 distinct displays:
- Mental Property (IP) and Trademarking – John Lanza from Foley Hoag LLC shared insights into how robotics startups can defend their improvements, from IP acquisition to patenting and trademarking. He mentioned widespread issues like whether or not software program may be patented and the right way to keep away from pricey authorized pitfalls.
- Media and Advertising 101 – Mark O’Toole of Marketing101 dove into the necessities of branding and advertising for robotics startups. His session was full of sensible recommendation on the right way to talk a compelling story, construct a recognizable model, and use the correct advertising channels to spice up visibility.
- Working with Massive Corporates as a Startup – Matt Carlson from WiBotic mentioned the challenges and alternatives that include partnering with massive firms. His session highlighted how startups can leverage company relationships to scale their companies, whereas additionally managing the complexities that include these partnerships.
- Funding Your Startup – Daniel Theobald, cofounder of MassRobotics and founding father of Vecna Robotics, wrapped up the session with a dialogue on numerous methods to fund a robotics startup. Daniel, who has raised funds by way of a number of channels together with bootstrapping, grants, and enterprise capital, shared his private experiences and gave recommendation on what funding method may be proper at completely different phases of a startup’s development.
Half 2: Development and Scaling – Fireplace Chats with Founders
The second a part of the Robotics Startup Bootcamp targeted on the expansion and scaling part of a robotics firm. It included fireplace chats with founders who’ve efficiently navigated the challenges of scaling their companies, elevating funds, and constructing sturdy groups.
Led by Marita McGinn, the MassRobotics Accelerator Director, this session included experiences and recommendation from:
- Erin Linebarger, founding father of Robotics 88, who mentioned her expertise leveraging accelerators and the important function these packages play in refining enterprise methods and gaining early-stage traction.
- Ninaad Sridharan and Syed Saquib, founders of brd BOT, shared their journey of constructing a robotics startup from the bottom up, concerning the significance of a strong product roadmap, fundraising, and the way working with mentors helped them navigate the advanced early-stage panorama.
The session additionally featured a fireplace chat with Jeff Linnell, Founder & CEO of Formant. Jeff shared his startup journey, detailing how he scaled Formant and the challenges he confronted in rising the corporate, managing groups, and reaching net-positive income. His insights had been invaluable for any founder trying to scale a robotics firm in a aggressive market.
Key Takeaways from the Robotics Startup Bootcamp
The Robotics Startup Bootcamp, was a chance for each aspiring and established robotics founders to achieve sensible recommendation and insights from trade veterans. The bootcamp coated every part from IP safety and advertising to scaling methods and fundraising, offering a complete have a look at the important parts of rising a robotics firm.
For anybody contemplating beginning or rising a robotics enterprise, the important thing takeaways from the periods embrace:
- Defend Your IP Early: Safe your mental property to safeguard your improvements and keep away from authorized points down the street.
- Advertising Issues: Constructing a robust model and speaking your story successfully can set you aside within the crowded robotics market.
- Partnerships Are Essential: Collaborating with massive firms and different startups can present the sources and help obligatory for scaling.
- Funding is a Journey: Whether or not it’s by way of grants, bootstrapping, or enterprise capital, discovering the correct funding technique is crucial at every stage of development.
- Mentorship and Networking: Leverage accelerators, mentors, and your skilled community to navigate challenges and make knowledgeable selections as you develop.
As robotics continues to rework industries from manufacturing to agriculture, MassRobotics stays dedicated to supporting and empowering the following technology of robotics entrepreneurs. The insights shared through the Robotics Startup Bootcamp are only one instance of how MassRobotics is working to foster innovation and development inside the robotics ecosystem.
If you happen to missed the occasion, maintain a watch out for future MassRobotics workshops and occasions, which proceed to supply unmatched sources for robotics startups.
Fireplace Chat with Allison Thakston: A Private Look into the Lifetime of a Robotics Chief
On Day 2, Joyce had the privilege of talking with Allison Thakston, a distinguished chief within the robotics subject. With levels in electrical and mechanical engineering, Allison has labored on groundbreaking initiatives equivalent to Robonaut 2, the primary humanoid robotic aboard the Worldwide House Station, and has held management roles at Waymo and Toyota Analysis Institute.
On this session, we acquired a glimpse of Allison’s journey from academia to trade and her function within the rapidly-evolving world of robotics and autonomy. Allison’s work at Blue River Know-how, the place she is main efforts to revolutionize agriculture by way of robotics, was additionally highlighted. Her perspective on the distinctive challenges in making use of robotics to agriculture, as in comparison with different fields like autonomous autos, was enlightening.
All through the dialog, Allison shared private tales and profession classes, together with the significance of mentorship and help networks in shaping her path. She additionally offered beneficial recommendation for younger engineers trying to tackle management roles in robotics and shared her ideas on the way forward for the trade, together with upcoming technological traits she finds most enjoyable.
Pitch Fireplace contest at RoboBusiness
Six robotics startups competed in annual Pitchfire for a $5,000 first-place prize and everlasting bragging rights. Every startup delivered 5-minute ‘pitch’ to a panel of judges describing their answer, enterprise mannequin, worth proposition and extra. Judges picked a winner primarily based on the startup they consider to be greatest primed for industrial success. Taking part startups acquired a sales space on the expo flooring and have an open invitation to seem on The Robotic Report Podcast.
For the third 12 months in a row a MassRobotics startup received the competitors!! Congratulations to Erin Linebarger, CEO and cofounder of Robotics 88, based in February 2021.
Robotics 88’s autonomous unmanned plane system (UAS) empowers land managers to mitigate wildfire danger and improve ecosystem well being by restoring the pure fireplace regimes of our forest landscapes by way of the improved utility of prescribed fireplace. The core innovation of this UAS is its skill to fly at low altitudes beneath the tree cover to map crucial vegetation information from the forest flooring.
This UAS combines autonomous decision-making algorithms, mapping, impediment avoidance, and multi-UAS coordination to offer worth at each stage of the burn: Pre-burn maps inform best climate situations and useful resource necessities, and post-burn maps help full mop-up (guaranteeing the fireplace is out) and long-term forest monitoring. Aerial ignition and situational consciousness allow bigger and safer prescribed burns.
Go to to brd BOT
On the conclusion of the convention, the MassRobotics group visited the places of work and manufacturing facility of brdBOT – the primary of its form robotic merchandising machine serving contemporary fried meals. Their totally automated system handles the ordering, serving, and frying whereas enhancing style by way of our cook-to-order course of prepared in simply 2 minutes! After getting a primary hand style on the crosby rooster and fries – we’re believers!! And thrilled to see the corporate development AND set up of their first two pilots.
Thanks Syed and Ninaad for the hats!! BRD is the WORD!!
Journey enjoyable footage: (Steve with our robotic socks and Russell “Completely happy”)
