Pathbreaker Ventures

Pathbreaker Ventures, LLC is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, focused on pre-seed to series A investments in early-stage startups. Established in 2005, the firm specializes in technology sectors, particularly in emerging areas of computer science such as robotics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, and computer vision. It targets teams developing unique intellectual property and innovative products designed to transform industries and improve lives. Pathbreaker Ventures typically invests between $150,000 and $350,000 and is open to co-investing with other early-stage investors, emphasizing its commitment to supporting specialized teams and groundbreaking technologies.

Past deals in Robotics

Slip Robotics

Series B in 2024
Slip Robotics specializes in automated trailer loading and unloading technology. Its SlipBot robots enable truck drivers to load/unload trailers in under five minutes with a single button command, reducing wait times and improving safety across supply chains.

PaintJet

Series A in 2023
Founded in 2019, PaintJet is a Hendersonville, Tennessee-based company specializing in robotic painting systems. It uses advanced robotics and AI to optimize paint usage, minimize overspray, and address labor shortages. The company serves industries such as industrial warehouses, marine ships, and wind turbines, providing durable, low-maintenance finishes while minimizing harmful chemicals.

Solideon

Seed Round in 2023
Solideon develops wire arc additive manufacturing WAAM solutions for large metallic components, enabling multi-robot, multi-tool manufacturing cells that produce finished parts in days rather than months. The company focuses on aerospace vehicle manufacturing and related infrastructure applications, leveraging additive manufacturing systems and machine-learning collaboration to build vehicles and infrastructure on Earth, the Moon, and Mars. This approach aims to expand space research capabilities and accelerate transportation and infrastructure projects, creating new opportunities across industries. Solideon emphasizes rapid production, scalable automation, and data-driven optimization to streamline fabrication of high-strength components for aerospace and other high-demand sectors.

Presso

Seed Round in 2023
Presso specializes in automated hardware for ultra-fast, on-demand laundry and dry-cleaning services. Utilizing robotics and vending machines, Presso's solution enables efficient fabric treatment while preserving garment quality.

PaintJet

Seed Round in 2022
Founded in 2019, PaintJet is a Hendersonville, Tennessee-based company specializing in robotic painting systems. It uses advanced robotics and AI to optimize paint usage, minimize overspray, and address labor shortages. The company serves industries such as industrial warehouses, marine ships, and wind turbines, providing durable, low-maintenance finishes while minimizing harmful chemicals.

GrayMatter Robotics

Series A in 2022
GrayMatter Robotics specializes in advanced robotic solutions for high-mix manufacturers facing complex surface treatment challenges. Their proprietary AI-driven robots assist humans in ergonomically demanding tasks, enhancing efficiency and productivity.

Hyphen

Funding Round in 2022
Hyphen specializes in automating culinary operations for the restaurant and foodservice industry. The company develops a food technology solution aimed at reducing the cost of fresh food through the use of robotics. Their technology features modular hardware and reprogrammable software, which employs computer vision technology to assist restaurants in managing peak hours during lunch and dinner, while also preventing human errors in food preparation.

Treeswift

Seed Round in 2022
Treeswift designs robotics and machine learning driven solutions for forestry and vegetation management. The company develops a vegetation and asset management system that delivers large-scale, precise data and analyses. Its backpack and vehicle-mounted sensors collect imagery and LiDAR during patrols and translate that data into actionable analytics and 360-degree field context for encroachment, strike potential, and failure risk through its software platform, serving vegetation management professionals, arborists, and tree crews. This enables users to anticipate and prevent power outages and other natural mishaps by informing maintenance decisions and risk assessments.

ThinkOrbital

Pre Seed Round in 2022
ThinkOrbital specializes in the development of scalable and cost-efficient space infrastructure tailored for the emerging New Space economy. The company offers innovative platforms designed for single-launch, autonomous assembly in orbit, utilizing mature technologies currently available. This approach opens up new possibilities in various areas, including satellite servicing, space debris processing, in-space manufacturing, on-orbit storage, refueling, space tourism, and research. By focusing on providing commercially operated, low-cost, and versatile space stations, ThinkOrbital aims to support a diverse range of space-related activities and foster the growth of the industry.

Hyphen

Series A in 2022
Hyphen specializes in automating culinary operations for the restaurant and foodservice industry. The company develops a food technology solution aimed at reducing the cost of fresh food through the use of robotics. Their technology features modular hardware and reprogrammable software, which employs computer vision technology to assist restaurants in managing peak hours during lunch and dinner, while also preventing human errors in food preparation.

Addressable

Series A in 2021
Addressable LLC, founded in 1999 and based in San Francisco, California, specializes in innovative robot technology that produces handwritten communications using actual ballpoint pens. The company has developed a full-stack growth automation platform designed to facilitate high-value relationships through personalized campaigns. By employing patented technology that mimics various human handwriting styles, Addressable aims to bridge the gap between digital advertising strategies and physical outreach. The management team, composed of experts from notable companies such as Facebook, Snowflake, and UJet, focuses on delivering measurable and impactful marketing solutions tailored to industries that prioritize relationship-building.

GrayMatter Robotics

Seed Round in 2021
GrayMatter Robotics specializes in advanced robotic solutions for high-mix manufacturers facing complex surface treatment challenges. Their proprietary AI-driven robots assist humans in ergonomically demanding tasks, enhancing efficiency and productivity.

Iron Ox

Series C in 2021
Iron Ox, Inc. is an innovative company that specializes in developing robotics for crop harvesting and sustainable indoor farming systems. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Carlos, California, Iron Ox operates greenhouses in Gilroy, California, and Lockhart, Texas. The company utilizes a combination of robotics, plant science, and machine learning to cultivate fresh, pesticide-free produce, including various leafy greens and culinary herbs. Their flagship product, Angus, is an autonomous farm mobile robot designed to enhance agricultural efficiency. By focusing on sustainable practices, Iron Ox aims to minimize agriculture's environmental impact while improving the availability, quality, and flavor of its products for consumers.

Presso

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Presso specializes in automated hardware for ultra-fast, on-demand laundry and dry-cleaning services. Utilizing robotics and vending machines, Presso's solution enables efficient fabric treatment while preserving garment quality.

Iron Ox

Series B in 2020
Iron Ox, Inc. is an innovative company that specializes in developing robotics for crop harvesting and sustainable indoor farming systems. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Carlos, California, Iron Ox operates greenhouses in Gilroy, California, and Lockhart, Texas. The company utilizes a combination of robotics, plant science, and machine learning to cultivate fresh, pesticide-free produce, including various leafy greens and culinary herbs. Their flagship product, Angus, is an autonomous farm mobile robot designed to enhance agricultural efficiency. By focusing on sustainable practices, Iron Ox aims to minimize agriculture's environmental impact while improving the availability, quality, and flavor of its products for consumers.

Hyphen

Seed Round in 2020
Hyphen specializes in automating culinary operations for the restaurant and foodservice industry. The company develops a food technology solution aimed at reducing the cost of fresh food through the use of robotics. Their technology features modular hardware and reprogrammable software, which employs computer vision technology to assist restaurants in managing peak hours during lunch and dinner, while also preventing human errors in food preparation.

Diligent Robotics

Seed Round in 2019
Diligent Robotics develops hospital service robots and related AI software to assist clinical and nursing staff with logistical tasks, enabling more time for direct patient care. Its flagship robot, Moxi, operates in hospital environments to handle routine duties and collaborate with humans, supported by AI-based software that enables safe interaction and adaptation to human workflows. Founded in 2017 and based in Austin, Texas, the company seeks to improve patient satisfaction, quality of care, and safety by augmenting healthcare teams with robotic assistance.

Hyphen

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Hyphen specializes in automating culinary operations for the restaurant and foodservice industry. The company develops a food technology solution aimed at reducing the cost of fresh food through the use of robotics. Their technology features modular hardware and reprogrammable software, which employs computer vision technology to assist restaurants in managing peak hours during lunch and dinner, while also preventing human errors in food preparation.

Diligent Robotics

Seed Round in 2018
Diligent Robotics develops hospital service robots and related AI software to assist clinical and nursing staff with logistical tasks, enabling more time for direct patient care. Its flagship robot, Moxi, operates in hospital environments to handle routine duties and collaborate with humans, supported by AI-based software that enables safe interaction and adaptation to human workflows. Founded in 2017 and based in Austin, Texas, the company seeks to improve patient satisfaction, quality of care, and safety by augmenting healthcare teams with robotic assistance.

Iron Ox

Seed Round in 2016
Iron Ox, Inc. is an innovative company that specializes in developing robotics for crop harvesting and sustainable indoor farming systems. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Carlos, California, Iron Ox operates greenhouses in Gilroy, California, and Lockhart, Texas. The company utilizes a combination of robotics, plant science, and machine learning to cultivate fresh, pesticide-free produce, including various leafy greens and culinary herbs. Their flagship product, Angus, is an autonomous farm mobile robot designed to enhance agricultural efficiency. By focusing on sustainable practices, Iron Ox aims to minimize agriculture's environmental impact while improving the availability, quality, and flavor of its products for consumers.
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