Robotics surges in YC batches but VCs still value hardware startups like software, warns investor

arian_ghashghai · x · 2026-09-07

Data shows Robotics & Autonomy rebounded sharply in YC batches once LLMs appeared, now ranking #3 in the 2026 batch. Investor arianghashghai argues most VCs still judge hardware startups through a software lens—ARR chatter in the current batch is 'nonsensical'—since hardware takes longer and carries more technical risk. He predicts many early companies will pivot to software narratives to woo investors.

Original post →

More from Venture

Venture channel →