Organization: MassRobotics
Country: U.S.
Website: massrobotics.org
Year Founded: 2015
Number of Employees: 11-50
Innovation Class: Business
In a world where many startups struggle, MassRobotics has provided critical support to young businesses that are shaping the future of robotics and artificial intelligence. The Boston-based organization announced in August 2024 that its resident and member startups have raised more than $1 billion since its founding in 2015.
“More than 290 investors have backed about 82 resident startups,” Tom Ryden, executive director of MassRobotics, told The Robot Report. “We’re proud of all the companies, whether they’ve raised $2 million or $100 million.”
“Many of them have moved on from our co-working space and continue to grow,” he added. “It’s not about being at MassRobotics; these companies add value to the entire ecosystem.”
MassRobotics offers resources ranging from flexible workspace and prototyping laboratories to strategic programming and connections. Its stated goal is to foster innovation and collaboration between entrepreneurs, academics, investors, and industry partners.
The startups in Massachusetts’ robotics ecosystem and beyond support a range of industries, including manufacturing, defense, and logistics, noted MassRobotics. They have developed technologies to address labor shortages and operational inefficiencies.
“MassRobotics has become more than just a hub; it has become an integral part of the global robotics innovation ecosystem,” said the organization.
Examples include Marlborough, Mass.-based American Robotics, which built commercial drones and was acquired by Ondas Holdings for $70.6 million in 2021. Activ Surgical Inc. has raised a total of more than $100 million, and Shanghai-based XYZ Robotics has raised over $103 million.
In May 2024, member startup Realtime Robotics raised Series B funding led by Mitsubishi Electric Corp., bringing its total to $71.5 million.
“It was apparent to us in 2017 that Silicon Valley was busy with autonomous vehicles, and competition for new graduates or moderately experienced people was vicious,” Peter Howard, CEO of Realtime, told The Robot Report. “Pittsburgh didn’t have the infrastructure or scope of roboticists that Boston had. Here, there was already a thriving community, thanks to Amazon Robotics, iRobot, and good universities.”
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