Calling Robotics Entrepreneurs: Apply for Our First Call for Innovation
Our mission at Toyota AI Ventures is to help early-stage startups bring disruptive technologies and business models to market quickly and, as we mark our one-year anniversary, we’re excited to launch a new “call for innovation” initiative in conjunction with our colleagues at the Toyota Research Institute (TRI).
With the call for innovation, we are tapping into TRI’s expertise in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), automated driving, and robotics to identify key technology challenges — and we’re looking for entrepreneurs that can solve those problems.
The first call we’re announcing is designed to spur innovation in robotics, specifically mobile manipulation technologies for assistive robots that help people in and around the home, and we’re looking to invest up to $2M. Robotics is starting to make an impact in industrial automation, but TRI sees a gap. To get assistive robots that can work around and with people in the home requires hardware and software technologies that make robots safer, more useful, and more affordable.
Watch this video for more details.
If you run a startup that is already working in this area, or developing similar technology that is being applied to a different product — or perhaps you’ve been thinking about forming a startup — we invite you to respond to this call by applying online.
The call is open to startups around the world that have raised less than $3 million USD in funding and have a working prototype and a business model that delivers real value to customers. It’s not a contest or a competition, though. The call for innovation is an opportunity to get your startup’s solution in front of the Toyota AI Ventures investment team, knowing that we’re actively looking to invest between $500K and $2M USD. We may invest in more than one startup.
Visit our website to learn more and apply. Applications are open now through October 31, 2018, and submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All investments are subject to customary due diligence and deal negotiation. To get updates on future calls, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @Toyota_AI_VC.
