RobotX

The problem

Every automation project seems to start from scratch, with custom parts, custom code and months of integration before a robot does useful work. That complexity puts automation out of reach for labs, workshops and small factories that could benefit from it most. Even simple tasks require specialised engineers, which means many good ideas never move beyond a spreadsheet of possible projects.

Why now

The cost of sensors, motors and computing has fallen dramatically, but integration complexity kept automation expensive. Modular design and plug-and-play software have transformed other industries, from consumer electronics to cloud computing, and RobotX applied those lessons to robotics. Laboratories and small manufacturers face labour shortages and growing pressure to improve productivity. They want automation that their own teams can set up and adapt. RobotX arrived when the components were affordable and when demand for accessible automation was growing quickly.

The founders

Ollie Grant designed modular hardware for consumer electronics and was frustrated by how difficult industrial automation remained. Valentina Rossi built robot control software at a research lab, focusing on systems that configure themselves when new components are connected. They met at a robotics meetup in Boston and started prototyping modular kits in Ollie’s garage within a few weeks.

Why we invested

Juno led our Series A after a customer built a working automation cell in a single afternoon using RobotX kits. The components snapped together like building blocks, and the software recognised each module automatically, so users could focus on the task rather than wiring and code. That simplicity opened automation to an entirely new group of customers. Juno also appreciated the founders’ commitment to open interfaces, which allowed third-party modules to join the ecosystem.

How we helped

After investing, we helped RobotX build distribution through laboratory equipment suppliers and industrial distributors. Juno worked with the founders on a pricing strategy that combines hardware sales with software subscriptions. Our platform team supported manufacturing scale-up, introducing the company to contract manufacturers and helping them recruit an experienced operations leader.

Where they are now

RobotX kits now power automation in labs, workshops and small factories that could never justify a custom integration. Customers use them for tasks ranging from sample handling to packaging and quality inspection. The company recently launched a marketplace where partners sell specialised modules that work with the RobotX platform. Ollie and Valentina still build a new demo cell every quarter to test the product the way customers use it. The founders believe the next million robots will be assembled by people who have never written a line of code.