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.
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