Travis Kalanick says his eight-year stealth bet is on industrial AI and robotics
a16z · youtube · 2026-07-23
In a long a16z conversation, Travis Kalanick talks about Uber's early history, the deal that nearly happened in 2011, and why he believes the next big opportunity is beyond software.
He says he spent nearly eight years building Atoms in stealth, and lays out a vision for digitizing the physical world through industrial AI, robotics, autonomy, mining, and food production. The interview also revisits founder-led companies, what makes great entrepreneurs, and how physical industries may be transformed when software, manufacturing, real estate, and transportation converge.
Related event: Uber Founder's Robotics Firm Atoms Raises $1.7B(11 posts)→
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