• Renovate Robotics

  Led · Seed · Mar 2023

  Renovate Robotics is developing robotic systems to install roof shingles, targeting both asphalt and solar varieties. Its robot is tethered to a roof on a winch-based system and moves in a gantry-like X/Y pattern to place shingles. The current system requires on-site human workers to set up, monitor progress, and replace materials, with a few workers expected to remain for monitoring and reloading. The company plans to work directly with roofing contractors initially as a subcontractor and later transition to a RaaS model leasing robots to trained contractors. Renovate will collect and store installation data for future feature sets, including potential installation validation for insurance providers. The startup announced a $2.5 million pre-seed round led by Alley Robotics Ventures; SOSV’s HAX, Newlab, Uphonest Capital and Climate Capital participated, and HAX associate Dylan Crow has joined as co-founder and COO alongside original co-founder Andy Stulc.

• Earth Force Technologies

  Led · Seed · Nov 2022

  Earth Force Technologies is a California-based start-up that has built an advanced productivity system for wildfire prevention centered on jobsite connectivity, teleoperations, and digital tools. Its platform uses teleoperated machinery so operators can conduct work from safe, remote workstations and leverages sensor data flows to let project administrators remotely measure progress and impact. The company says it works with public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders to modernize vegetation management and scale environmental restoration. Earth Force positions its technology as a way to reduce wildfire risk while creating safer, more desirable jobs in forest-adjacent communities. Financially, the company announced a seed raise of $8.6 million in November 2022.

• Aescape

  Participated · Series A · Nov 2022

  Aescape develops the world’s first fully automated, customizable massage experience using advanced AI to deliver personalized recovery. Its core product combines autonomous massage hardware and software deployed as an on-demand wellness amenity. The company launched commercially with Equinox and, after strong demand and high engagement, Equinox is expanding the partnership to 60 locations nationwide. Aescape has announced additional partnerships with hospitality and luxury brands, including select Four Seasons, Marriott, and Ritz-Carlton properties, and aims to expand further into hospitality, professional sports, fitness, and mainstream markets. In its first six months in market the company reports high utilization and repeat usage rates and is scaling operations with new sales hires and senior leadership additions (CMO Kimberly Miller and SVP of Engineering Eswar Priyadarshan). Aescape has raised $128MM to date and plans to use fresh capital to accelerate national expansion and grow partnerships with global brands. Aescape develops fully‑automated, data‑driven massage therapy systems that mimic human touch and deliver customizable recovery treatments. Its core product, The Aescape Experience, pairs a fully‑automated massage table with software for insights‑driven wellness. The company targets hospitality, wellness, fitness, medical and elite sports operators to address labor shortages and serve the $17.6B U.S. massage therapy market. Aescape says it has signed 17 partners who will be first to launch the solution at their locations. The team includes senior leaders from Amazon, Peloton, Tonal, Meta and other consumer and tech companies. With new funding, Aescape plans to enhance its AI technology and roll out The Aescape Experience in the U.S. in late 2023.

• Civ Robotics

  Led · Seed · Sep 2022

  Civ Robotics is a Bay Area–based firm that has built an autonomous robot, CivDot, for creating land surveys on construction sites. The product is positioned to address construction industry worker shortages by improving efficiency and safety on the job. Co-founder and CEO Tom Yeshurun says CivDot empowers efficiency and safety while driving projects forward from the start. The company has already been adopted by Bechtel and a variety of other firms for surveying. Financially, Civ Robotics recently closed a $5 million seed round to support its growth and commercialization. The funding is presented by the company as validation of the market opportunity to construct the world around us.

No current team members are available.