Fontinalis Partners

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Detroit with an additional office in Boston, Fontinalis Partners is a venture capital firm focused on next-generation mobility solutions. It invests across stages and sizes, with a preference for taking a board seat. The firm targets technology companies in areas such as connected vehicles, data analytics, intelligent infrastructure, location-based services, and smart logistics, among others.

Ralph Booth

Managing Partner

Christopher Cheever

Partner

Gabe Cunningham

Principal

Amy Dai

Senior Associate

Gabe Klein

Venture Partner

Past deals in Autonomous Vehicles

Vecna Robotics

Series C in 2024
Vecna Robotics, Inc. specializes in developing and marketing autonomous mobile robots aimed at enhancing logistics and material handling operations. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, the company offers advanced solutions, including automated material handling, hybrid fulfillment, and workflow optimization. Its flagship product, Pivot.al, is a multi-agent AI-based orchestration engine that continuously analyzes operational conditions and adjusts processes to ensure optimal performance among all team members. Additionally, Vecna provides Beacon, which integrates software updates, data analytics, and remote operations to analyze data collected from its robots. By focusing on workflows rather than just robot functionality, Vecna Robotics aims to revolutionize productivity in commercial settings, allowing clients to adapt operations seamlessly to changing market demands.

Vecna Robotics

Series C in 2022
Vecna Robotics, Inc. specializes in developing and marketing autonomous mobile robots aimed at enhancing logistics and material handling operations. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, the company offers advanced solutions, including automated material handling, hybrid fulfillment, and workflow optimization. Its flagship product, Pivot.al, is a multi-agent AI-based orchestration engine that continuously analyzes operational conditions and adjusts processes to ensure optimal performance among all team members. Additionally, Vecna provides Beacon, which integrates software updates, data analytics, and remote operations to analyze data collected from its robots. By focusing on workflows rather than just robot functionality, Vecna Robotics aims to revolutionize productivity in commercial settings, allowing clients to adapt operations seamlessly to changing market demands.

Sibros

Series B in 2022
Sibros is a technology company that specializes in software-defined vehicle management through its Deep Connected Platform™. This platform integrates real-time data collection, software configuration management, remote updates, and diagnostic commands, all while adhering to stringent automotive safety, security, and data privacy standards. Sibros's solutions are versatile and can be implemented across various vehicle architectures, including legacy gas and diesel engines, next-generation battery electric vehicles, fuel cells, motorcycles, buses, commercial trucks, and heavy machinery. By leveraging advanced technology developed in Silicon Valley, Sibros empowers original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to enhance customer experiences, reduce costs, and explore new revenue opportunities throughout the entire mobility product life cycle. The company's software manages a vehicle's complete software inventory and configurations, facilitating the delivery of connected vehicle services and personalized mobility solutions at scale.

Ouster

Post in 2021
Ouster, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that specializes in the development of high-resolution digital lidar sensors and software products. Founded in 2015, Ouster's innovative approach integrates an all-semiconductor design to enhance 3D sensing capabilities, making it applicable across various industries, including autonomous vehicles, robotics, industrial automation, mapping, and smart infrastructure. The company's product offerings consist of multi-beam lidar sensors suitable for long, mid, and short-range applications, which are distributed globally. Ouster targets a wide range of markets, leveraging its technology to support advancements in smart cities, defense, and virtual reality/augmented reality. With a strong presence in the Americas, as well as operational reach in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Ouster is positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for lidar solutions across diverse sectors.

Gatik

Series A in 2020
Gatik is a Mountain View, California-based startup that develops autonomous vehicle technology for B2B short-haul and middle-mile logistics. The company specializes in AI-powered software and autonomous hardware for light and medium-duty trucks and vans, enabling scheduled deliveries and streamlined supply-chain operations for commercial customers.

Ouster

Series B in 2020
Ouster, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that specializes in the development of high-resolution digital lidar sensors and software products. Founded in 2015, Ouster's innovative approach integrates an all-semiconductor design to enhance 3D sensing capabilities, making it applicable across various industries, including autonomous vehicles, robotics, industrial automation, mapping, and smart infrastructure. The company's product offerings consist of multi-beam lidar sensors suitable for long, mid, and short-range applications, which are distributed globally. Ouster targets a wide range of markets, leveraging its technology to support advancements in smart cities, defense, and virtual reality/augmented reality. With a strong presence in the Americas, as well as operational reach in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Ouster is positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for lidar solutions across diverse sectors.

Helm.ai

Seed Round in 2020
Founded in 2016, Helm.ai develops advanced AI software for autonomous driving, ADAS, and robotics automation. Headquartered in Redwood City, CA, the company specializes in full-stack real-time AI solutions, including deep neural networks for highway and urban driving, end-to-end autonomous systems, and development tools powered by Deep Teaching™ and generative AI.

Vecna Robotics

Series B in 2020
Vecna Robotics, Inc. specializes in developing and marketing autonomous mobile robots aimed at enhancing logistics and material handling operations. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, the company offers advanced solutions, including automated material handling, hybrid fulfillment, and workflow optimization. Its flagship product, Pivot.al, is a multi-agent AI-based orchestration engine that continuously analyzes operational conditions and adjusts processes to ensure optimal performance among all team members. Additionally, Vecna provides Beacon, which integrates software updates, data analytics, and remote operations to analyze data collected from its robots. By focusing on workflows rather than just robot functionality, Vecna Robotics aims to revolutionize productivity in commercial settings, allowing clients to adapt operations seamlessly to changing market demands.

Gatik

Seed Round in 2019
Gatik is a Mountain View, California-based startup that develops autonomous vehicle technology for B2B short-haul and middle-mile logistics. The company specializes in AI-powered software and autonomous hardware for light and medium-duty trucks and vans, enabling scheduled deliveries and streamlined supply-chain operations for commercial customers.

Ike

Series A in 2019
Ike Robotics Inc., founded in 2018 and based in San Francisco, California, specializes in the development of autonomous driving technology specifically for the trucking industry. The company focuses on creating a full-stack solution that includes mechanical, electrical, and software components, integrating sensors, computers, and actuators to facilitate safe and reliable highway freight transportation. Ike aims to enhance safety in trucking, improve the value of truck drivers, and increase overall efficiency within the industry. By leveraging advanced automation technology, Ike aspires to positively impact livelihoods, create jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As of December 2020, Ike operates as a subsidiary of Nuro, Inc.

Wise Systems

Series A in 2018
Wise Systems develops autonomous dispatch and routing software for last-mile delivery, using machine learning to automatically schedule, monitor, and adjust routes in real time to improve fleet efficiency and customer service. The platform analyzes orders, optimizes routes, tracks progress and ETAs, and evaluates driver performance, while providing a customer portal with real-time order visibility. It also includes Smart Reservation Management that lets customers select delivery dates and times. Serving industries such as food and beverage, parcel and courier, retail, field service, and other logistics sectors, Wise Systems processes millions of data points to deliver thousands of decisions daily. The company originated from MIT research and operates from Massachusetts, delivering scalable solutions that reduce mileage, boost fleet utilization, and minimize late deliveries.

Ouster

Series A in 2017
Ouster, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that specializes in the development of high-resolution digital lidar sensors and software products. Founded in 2015, Ouster's innovative approach integrates an all-semiconductor design to enhance 3D sensing capabilities, making it applicable across various industries, including autonomous vehicles, robotics, industrial automation, mapping, and smart infrastructure. The company's product offerings consist of multi-beam lidar sensors suitable for long, mid, and short-range applications, which are distributed globally. Ouster targets a wide range of markets, leveraging its technology to support advancements in smart cities, defense, and virtual reality/augmented reality. With a strong presence in the Americas, as well as operational reach in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Ouster is positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for lidar solutions across diverse sectors.

Hangar

Seed Round in 2016
Hangar Technology, Inc. is a software company focused on automating aerial data acquisition and analysis for various commercial and industrial sectors. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Hangar operates a platform that integrates a proprietary autonomous flight engine with top-selling drones, enabling a network of licensed pilots to safely capture aerial data. The company’s technology processes this data to deliver actionable insights, helping businesses improve their operations and drive return on investment. As a subsidiary of AirMap, Inc., Hangar is positioned to leverage its innovative approach to meet the growing demand for efficient and professional aerial data solutions.

BraiQ

Convertible Note in 2016
BraiQ, Inc. is a New York-based company founded in 2016 that specializes in developing artificial intelligence software aimed at personalizing the automated driving experience. The company focuses on teaching AI to understand human emotions, thereby enhancing the ride experience in autonomous vehicles. By integrating AI with insights into human emotions and preferences, BraiQ's technology seeks to increase passenger comfort and foster trust in automated driving systems.

nuTonomy

Series A in 2016
nuTonomy Inc. is a technology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 2013 as a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The company specializes in developing software for autonomous and self-driving passenger vehicles, focusing on creating a comprehensive solution for operating large fleets of autonomous taxis. This includes advanced software for urban vehicle navigation, smartphone-based ride-hailing, fleet routing and management, and remote vehicle control through teleoperation. nuTonomy collaborates with both major automotive manufacturers and innovative startups to transform personal mobility, aiming to enhance the safety, efficiency, and accessibility of transportation in urban environments worldwide. As of November 2017, nuTonomy operates as a subsidiary of Delphi Corp.

Autonomous Marine Systems

Seed Round in 2016
Autonomous Marine Systems Inc. is a marine data services company based in Somerville, Massachusetts, established in 2009. The company specializes in collecting and transmitting hydrographic data utilizing low-cost, self-powered ocean surface drones that operate autonomously. These wind and solar-powered robotic sailboats are deployed in fleets to form an intelligent sensor network, enabling customized surveys for various sectors including defense, energy, shipping, fishing, and research. By providing long-duration mission capabilities over extensive geographic areas, Autonomous Marine Systems allows clients to gather crucial marine data while minimizing risks to human life and reducing the costs associated with traditional vessels in challenging marine environments.

nuTonomy

Seed Round in 2016
nuTonomy Inc. is a technology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 2013 as a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The company specializes in developing software for autonomous and self-driving passenger vehicles, focusing on creating a comprehensive solution for operating large fleets of autonomous taxis. This includes advanced software for urban vehicle navigation, smartphone-based ride-hailing, fleet routing and management, and remote vehicle control through teleoperation. nuTonomy collaborates with both major automotive manufacturers and innovative startups to transform personal mobility, aiming to enhance the safety, efficiency, and accessibility of transportation in urban environments worldwide. As of November 2017, nuTonomy operates as a subsidiary of Delphi Corp.

Wise Systems

Seed Round in 2015
Wise Systems develops autonomous dispatch and routing software for last-mile delivery, using machine learning to automatically schedule, monitor, and adjust routes in real time to improve fleet efficiency and customer service. The platform analyzes orders, optimizes routes, tracks progress and ETAs, and evaluates driver performance, while providing a customer portal with real-time order visibility. It also includes Smart Reservation Management that lets customers select delivery dates and times. Serving industries such as food and beverage, parcel and courier, retail, field service, and other logistics sectors, Wise Systems processes millions of data points to deliver thousands of decisions daily. The company originated from MIT research and operates from Massachusetts, delivering scalable solutions that reduce mileage, boost fleet utilization, and minimize late deliveries.
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