Trucks Venture

Trucks Venture Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm based in California, established in 2016. The firm specializes in funding entrepreneurs who are innovating within the transportation sector and related industries. With a focus on the future of transportation, Trucks Venture Capital manages a fund that invests in the United States and Canada, particularly targeting advancements in autonomous, connected, and shared vehicles. Through its initiatives, the firm aims to support the development of transformative technologies and solutions that will shape the landscape of mobility.

Reilly Brennan

Founding Partner & General Partner

Puneeth Meruva

Senior Associate

Kate Schox

General Partner

Jason Townsend

CFO

Past deals in Autonomous Vehicles

Teleo

Series A in 2022
Teleo specializes in converting existing fleet into remote-controlled robots. It enables operators to control machines from miles away, instantly switching between machines and across job sites. Teleo increases the operator's productivity, enhances crew safety, and features advanced Jobsite insights.

Universal Hydrogen

Series B in 2021
Universal Hydrogen is a fuel logistics company making hydrogen-powered commercial flight a near-term reality.

Gatik

Series B in 2021
Gatik is a startup developing technology for deploying autonomous vehicles for short-haul logistics. It specializes in the fields of artificial intelligence, automotive, and logistics. It was founded in 2017 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California.

Faction

Seed Round in 2021
Faction specializes in the development of driverless electric vehicles that combine the speed and performance of cars with the affordability of motorcycles. The company focuses on micro-delivery and ride-on-demand services, utilizing a model that integrates remote human supervision alongside autonomous technology. This approach allows Faction to bypass the limitations of fully autonomous systems, enabling quicker deployment of its services. The vehicles are designed with networked data capabilities, over-the-air software updates, and safety-critical autonomy features, ensuring a cost-effective and reliable driverless solution for clients. After completing its first prototypes, Faction is set to commence trials to further refine its offerings in the transportation sector.

Faction

Seed Round in 2021
Faction specializes in the development of driverless electric vehicles that combine the speed and performance of cars with the affordability of motorcycles. The company focuses on micro-delivery and ride-on-demand services, utilizing a model that integrates remote human supervision alongside autonomous technology. This approach allows Faction to bypass the limitations of fully autonomous systems, enabling quicker deployment of its services. The vehicles are designed with networked data capabilities, over-the-air software updates, and safety-critical autonomy features, ensuring a cost-effective and reliable driverless solution for clients. After completing its first prototypes, Faction is set to commence trials to further refine its offerings in the transportation sector.

Refraction AI

Seed Round in 2021
Refraction AI, Inc., an autonomous delivery robot company, builds and deploys robotic platforms to provide goods delivery in urban areas. It offers The REV-1, a delivery robotic vehicle that picks up goods from restaurants, pharmacies, and grocery stores, and bring them directly to the customers’ house. Refraction AI, Inc. was founded in 2017 and is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Tangram Vision

Seed Round in 2021
Tangram Vision is building the infrastructure layer for vision-enabled products like robots, drones and industrial automation. Tangram makes it simple to integrate sensors, build apps with their data, and optimize their stability and performance over the entire product lifecycle.

Refraction AI

Funding Round in 2020
Refraction AI, Inc., an autonomous delivery robot company, builds and deploys robotic platforms to provide goods delivery in urban areas. It offers The REV-1, a delivery robotic vehicle that picks up goods from restaurants, pharmacies, and grocery stores, and bring them directly to the customers’ house. Refraction AI, Inc. was founded in 2017 and is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Teleo

Seed Round in 2020
Teleo specializes in converting existing fleet into remote-controlled robots. It enables operators to control machines from miles away, instantly switching between machines and across job sites. Teleo increases the operator's productivity, enhances crew safety, and features advanced Jobsite insights.

Ottometric

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Ottometric Inc. is a company based in Newton, Massachusetts, that specializes in enhancing the safety of autonomous vehicles through its cloud-based platform. Since its incorporation in 2018, Ottometric has developed an intelligent verification framework that leverages big data, artificial intelligence, sensor fusion, and computer vision to provide a deeper understanding of events and anomalies. This technology is designed to assess the effectiveness of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in real-world scenarios, addressing the industry's demand for reliable autonomous features. As the automotive sector increasingly invests in innovation to improve vehicle safety, Ottometric aims to support the transition from Level 1 to Level 3 autonomous capabilities, responding to the industry's concerns regarding the current sub-par offerings.

Edge Case Research

Seed Round in 2019
Edge Case Research, Inc. specializes in developing software products and safety systems for companies involved in self-driving vehicles and robotics. The company provides innovative tools such as Hologram, which helps users identify and resolve edge cases that challenge machine learning, and Switchboard, a cloud-based solution for automated robustness testing that assesses the safety and reliability of complex software. Edge Case Research employs Model-based Iterative System Safety Analysis to effectively identify and manage safety risks in intricate systems. Additionally, the company offers best practices assessments for embedded software and training in safety and peer review for software testing. Serving industries such as autonomous vehicles, consumer electronics, and industrial controls, Edge Case Research aims to enhance the safety and reliability of evolving technologies. Founded in 2013, the company is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a branch in Unterschleißheim, Germany.

Gatik

Seed Round in 2019
Gatik is a startup developing technology for deploying autonomous vehicles for short-haul logistics. It specializes in the fields of artificial intelligence, automotive, and logistics. It was founded in 2017 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California.

Joby Aviation

Series B in 2019
Joby Aviation, LLC is an electric mobility company focused on developing fully electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft aimed at transforming air transportation. Founded in 2009 and based in Santa Cruz, California, the company specializes in creating a 5-seat aircraft that utilizes advanced electric propulsion technology. Joby Aviation emphasizes innovative design through its expertise in composite airframe fabrication, aerodynamic analysis, high-performance electric motor development, and state-of-the-art battery pack design. The company's mission is to provide a safe, quiet, fast, and affordable air-transportation service, contributing to a significant shift in personal mobility.

Refraction AI

Funding Round in 2019
Refraction AI, Inc., an autonomous delivery robot company, builds and deploys robotic platforms to provide goods delivery in urban areas. It offers The REV-1, a delivery robotic vehicle that picks up goods from restaurants, pharmacies, and grocery stores, and bring them directly to the customers’ house. Refraction AI, Inc. was founded in 2017 and is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Wise Systems

Series A in 2018
Wise Systems Inc. develops autonomous dispatch and routing software designed to enhance the efficiency of last-mile delivery operations across various industries, including food and beverage, courier, and field service. Founded in 2014 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, the company leverages machine learning to optimize fleet performance and improve customer service. Its platform includes tools such as Scheduler for creating dynamic route plans, Dispatcher for real-time monitoring of delivery progress and performance metrics, and a Customer Portal for tracking orders with accurate ETAs. The software processes millions of data points to make intelligent, real-time decisions, resulting in significant mileage reductions, increased fleet utilization, and a substantial decrease in late deliveries. Wise Systems aims to help customers better manage their delivery logistics by providing flexibility and optimizing routes, thereby enhancing overall operational efficiency.

Coord

Series A in 2018
Coord is a mobility company that creates seamless mobility and self-driving experiences today through deep integrations. The company offers bike-share API, Curbs API, Tolls API, Routing API and etc.

Camp Six Labs

Seed Round in 2018
Camp Six Labs, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company founded in 2016 that specializes in the development of flying robots for the cleaning and maintenance of wind turbine blades. In addition to this focus, the company is also working on an aerial freight transportation network, utilizing unmanned aircraft capable of delivering payloads of up to 1,000 pounds over distances of 1,000 miles. Through its innovative technologies, Camp Six Labs aims to enhance transportation solutions, particularly for remote areas, thereby improving access and quality of life in diverse communities.

DeepScale

Series A in 2018
DeepScale is a technology company that develops perceptual systems for semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles. It help automakers use industry-standard low-wattage processors to power more accurate perception. Alongside sensors, mapping, planning and control systems, perception, (sometimes referenced as “computer vision”) enables vehicles to make sense of what’s going on around them in real time.

May Mobility

Seed Round in 2018
May Mobility, Inc. is an autonomous vehicle company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, founded in 2017. The company focuses on creating a safer and more accessible urban transportation system by operating a fleet of driverless, six-passenger electric vehicles that provide shuttle services to both enterprise and municipal clients. May Mobility's micro-transit offerings utilize vehicles that autonomously navigate mapped routes and closed loops, addressing the challenges of congestion and mobility access in increasingly urbanized environments. By leveraging advanced technology and a system-level safety design approach, May Mobility aims to transform urban transportation, reduce pollution, and improve commuting experiences for residents in congested cities.

Seeva

Seed Round in 2018
SEEVA Technologies, Inc. manufactures visibility systems for commercial and passenger vehicle perception. Its solution uses visibility technologies to heat and apply washer fluid to clear off snow, ice, mud, sand, dirt and bugs. The company's product includes QwikTherm system that cleans vehicle’s sensors, cameras, radar, and windshield. SEEVA Technologies, Inc. was founded in 2017 and is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Aurora Labs

Seed Round in 2017
Aurora Labs Ltd is a technology company that specializes in developing software solutions for the automotive industry, utilizing machine learning, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, with additional offices in Munich, Skopje, Boston, and Detroit, the company focuses on creating a self-healing platform for connected vehicle software. Aurora Labs has innovated remote software management, diagnostics, and over-the-air (OTA) updates, enhancing user experience while reducing costs related to software quality, safety, and security. Their proprietary Line-Of-Code Behavior™ technology employs machine learning algorithms to analyze software functionality and risks, allowing for pre-error detection and on-the-go fixes. This approach enables reliable OTA updates without user downtime and facilitates software change validation for regulatory compliance. With numerous patents and a global customer base, Aurora Labs continues to lead in the evolving mobility landscape.

Bear Flag Robotics

Seed Round in 2017
Bear Flag Robotics, Inc. specializes in creating self-driving technology for tractors and agricultural implements, aiming to reduce farming costs through automation. Founded in 2017 and based in Sunnyvale, California, the company’s software enables users to plan routes, schedule tasks, and monitor equipment with real-time alerts from a remote location. Its technology utilizes perception sensors and robotic actuators, allowing for efficient route planning and obstacle avoidance. Additionally, Bear Flag Robotics provides features such as remote emergency stop capabilities and centralized mission control, which delivers real-time data about tractor operations, ultimately helping farmers enhance productivity and reduce input costs.

Oryx Vision

Series B in 2017
Oryx Vision develops solid state depth vision solutions for autonomous vehicles. Based on a radically innovative depth-sensing technology, it is the first and the only answer to the range and resolution vision requirements of fully autonomous driving.

AEye

Series A in 2017
AEye, Inc. specializes in developing vision hardware, software, and algorithms tailored for autonomous vehicles. The company is known for its innovative iDAR platform, which integrates LiDAR, computer vision, and artificial intelligence to enhance perception and motion planning for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles. AEye's product offerings include the 4Sight A and 4Sight M sensors, as well as the AE100 Robotic Perception System and AE200, which are designed to meet the demands of the mobility market with modular and high-performance features. Since its inception in 2013 and a name change in 2016, AEye has established itself as a leader in intelligent sensing technology, securing investment from prestigious firms such as Kleiner Perkins and Intel Capital. The company is headquartered in Dublin, California, within the San Francisco Bay Area.

Starsky Robotics

Seed Round in 2017
Trucking is the backbone of the American economy, moving 70% of all freight. Truck drivers risk their lives spending months away from their family to keep the American economy moving. They working to make trucks autonomous on the highway and remote controlled by drivers for the first and last mile. Their trucks will make roads safer while giving drivers meaningful work close to their homes and families.

Joby Aviation

Series A in 2016
Joby Aviation, LLC is an electric mobility company focused on developing fully electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft aimed at transforming air transportation. Founded in 2009 and based in Santa Cruz, California, the company specializes in creating a 5-seat aircraft that utilizes advanced electric propulsion technology. Joby Aviation emphasizes innovative design through its expertise in composite airframe fabrication, aerodynamic analysis, high-performance electric motor development, and state-of-the-art battery pack design. The company's mission is to provide a safe, quiet, fast, and affordable air-transportation service, contributing to a significant shift in personal mobility.

Oryx Vision

Series A in 2016
Oryx Vision develops solid state depth vision solutions for autonomous vehicles. Based on a radically innovative depth-sensing technology, it is the first and the only answer to the range and resolution vision requirements of fully autonomous driving.

Polysync

Seed Round in 2016
Polysync Technologies, Inc. specializes in creating a platform for the development, testing, and deployment of driverless vehicle applications. Established in 2013 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with additional offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Palo Alto, California, and Europe, Polysync offers software tools and services that facilitate the research, development, and production of autonomous vehicle components. Its solutions are utilized by automotive engineering services, developers, government agencies, and universities globally, enabling safer and more efficient advancements in autonomous mobility. Polysync's products are currently operational in over 17 countries, underscoring its impact on the autonomous vehicle industry.

nuTonomy

Series A in 2016
nuTonomy Inc. is a technology company specializing in software for autonomous passenger vehicles. Founded in 2013 as a spin-off from MIT and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company focuses on creating a comprehensive solution for managing large fleets of autonomous taxis. This includes software for navigation in urban environments, smartphone-based ride-hailing, and fleet routing and management. Additionally, nuTonomy's technology allows for remote vehicle control through teleoperation, enhancing safety and efficiency in transportation. The company collaborates with major automotive manufacturers and innovative startups to transform personal mobility for the modern era. As of November 2017, nuTonomy operates as a subsidiary of Delphi Corp.

Nauto

Seed Round in 2015
Nauto is an AI-technology company that’s improving the safety of commercial fleets today and the autonomous fleets of tomorrow. Nauto’s intelligent driver safety system assesses how drivers interact with the vehicle and the road ahead to reduce distracted driving and prevent collisions. Nauto’s intelligent driver safety system assesses how drivers interact with the vehicle and the road ahead to reduce distracted driving and prevent collisions. With this knowledge, Nauto is powering the development of self-driving technology that brings the best of human driving to autonomy.