New York Robotics launches amid surge of robotics investment, demand and talent

As robotics and embodied AI accelerate from research into real-world deployment, New York Robotics (NYR) announced its official launch, revealing a fast-scaling ecosystem that now includes more than 160 robotics startups across the Tri-State region, with nearly 100 in New York City alone.

The organization said that this milestone signals New York’s rapid emergence as a serious global contender in robotics, alongside established hubs such as Boston, Silicon Valley, Pittsburgh, Munich, Zurich and Denmark.

The announcement coincides with NYR’s sponsorship of AlleyCorp’s inaugural Deep Tech NY conference, which NYR said underscores New York’s growing role as a convergence point for robotics innovation, capital and enterprise adoption.

New York Robotics’ history

Over the past two years, NYR said that it has quietly assembled one of the most comprehensive robotics networks in the United States, engaging more than 450 robotics startups worldwide, including 160+ in the Tri-State region, alongside 80+ industry-leading corporations, 20+ academic institutions, 40+ robotics and embodied AI research labs, 300+ venture capital firms actively investing in robotics, 45 domestic and international government organizations, and 150+ service providers and ecosystem partners.

Formed in January 2024, NYR said it was built to address a long-standing gap: while New York has world-class talent, capital and customers, its robotics community historically operated in silos. NYR said its mission is to unify that fragmented landscape and establish New York City and the broader Tri-State region as a premier global center for robotics innovation, investment, and industry growth.

“Our vision is to leverage New York’s centrality on the global technology stage to become a leading hub for robotics innovation,” said Jacob Hennessey-Rubin, founding board member and executive director of New York Robotics. “This is a place where researchers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and investors can collaborate to shape the future of robotics. By rapidly expanding the ecosystem and elevating robotics as a serious investment class on Wall Street, we’re positioning New York for long-term leadership in this transformative sector.”

To date, NYR has named several founding members, including J.P. Morgan, New York University, AlleyCorp, EisnerAmper, Cybernetix Ventures, and more than 14 additional organizations that are committed to advancing New York’s robotics economy.

Cybernetix Ventures launched Robotics Tech Week in Boston in the summer of 2025.

“We see New York Robotics as a kind of exchange,” said Randy Howie, founding board member of New York Robotics. “It’s a platform where startups, enterprises, investors, academia and government can connect efficiently, align incentives and ensure that growth in robotics translates into broad economic impact.”

Growing NYC in the robotics world

As part of its platform, NYR said it recently released a private-beta version of the NYR Index, a proprietary ecosystem intelligence tool that provides partners with exclusive access to data, insights and mapping across startups, investors, labs and enterprise participants.

NYR said it has also hosted or co-hosted more than 20 events over the past two years, including the first-ever robotics programming during NY TechWeek, helping elevate robotics as a visible and strategic sector within New York’s broader technology landscape.

“Robotics is essential to solving the world’s most pressing challenges,” said Fady Saad, founder and managing partner of Cybernetix Ventures, and NY Robotics board member. “New York has the key ingredients to fuel robotics innovation from inception to billion‑dollar exits.”

In addition, NYR has entered into partnerships to advance the region’s robotics economy, including a partnership with C10 Labs, one of the operators selected by NYCEDC for the NYC AI Nexus. NYR said that C10 Labs will build and grow applied AI ventures in New York City within the robotics and advanced manufacturing sectors, as well as across healthcare, biotechnology, sustainability and energy. NYR said that is is excited to support C10 Labs in this endeavor through ecosystem events, startup mentorship, and more.

“The New York metro area offers everything you need to build a robotics company,” said Evan Beard, founder and CEO of Standard Bots. “The city’s energy and opportunities attract top engineers from around the world, while areas like Long Island provide the industrial infrastructure necessary to scale.”