+ Swiss roots. Global ambition.
The nextgreat leapis physical.
Zurich, Switzerland
An early stake
The next industry is still in the workshop.
We seek an ownership stake at formation, then invest further as teams prove the technology and the business.
02 The thesis
Intelligence is
leaving the screen.
For decades, intelligence lived on screens. Now it is learning to move. Machines that build, explore, care and repair will change how we live and work, and deep tech will be the foundation of that shift. We want to help drive it forward.
Read our full thesisClose full thesis
The people who will make this happen are already here. ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading places for robotics, and together with EPFL and TUM it forms one of the strongest hubs for deep tech talent anywhere. Students and researchers work late in their labs and workshops, and many of them are building their first prototypes right now. We know them, we build alongside them, and we believe in them.
Robotics Capital is a concentrated bet on this generation of deep tech founders. We are betting on their talent, their ambition and the companies they are about to create.
Our investment frontier
Three layers. One physical future.
Complete machines that solve real problems in the physical world. From humanoids and industrial robots to drones, surgical systems and robots in agriculture and construction.
03 Our edge
We know the builders before they become founders.
Technical progress matters when it solves a real problem. We look for a credible path from prototype to paying customer.
01 /Early access to exceptional talent
We come from the ETH Robotics Club and know the people building there personally. We are also closely connected at ETH Zurich, EPFL and TUM. This lets us meet outstanding engineers early, often before they decide to start a company.
02 /Help with hiring from day one
Finding the right people is one of the hardest problems for a young startup. Once we invest, we connect founders with the talent they need. This includes the more than 350 members of the ETH Robotics Club, many more applicants and our wide network at ETH, EPFL, TUM and HSG.
03 /Where deep tech is built
We are based in Zurich, one of Europe’s leading centres for robotics and deep tech. In the ETH Robotics Club, future founders build and test their first prototypes. We see ideas take shape long before they become companies.
04 The people
Builders’ perspective.
Investors’ discipline.
A note from the founders
Zurich, SwitzerlandThe first signal is human.
We started Robotics Capital because we build alongside people who keep going when a prototype fails. We want more of that work to become companies.
Our role is to bring a first cheque, useful introductions and clear thinking about the next milestone. Start here. Compete everywhere.
Declan, Erik and MarkFounding partners, Robotics Capital
DS01 / General partnerDeclan Shine
Founding Partner
President of the ETH Robotics Club. Brings robotics community leadership and early-stage investing experience through Founderful Campus.
EP02 / General partnerErik Pfister
Founding Partner
Vice President and Head of Partnerships at the ETH Robotics Club. Connects technical founders, industry partners, and the HSG business community. He previously built an investment fund and brings experience backing private companies.
MP03 / General partnerMark Pfister
Founding Partner
Brings experience at EWOR and Ufenau Capital Partners. He focuses on finance, operations, and the commercial foundations that help young teams build investable companies.
05 For investors
Back the founders
building what comes next.
We connect limited partners with opportunities in robotics, physical AI and deep tech. We invest early and support companies as they grow.
Our approach
Our main investment criterion is backing winning companies. We focus on pre-seed and may also invest at seed or other stages when we have conviction in the team and the company.
We bring capital, hiring support and a close connection to the people building new technology. Follow-on investments let us continue supporting companies in later rounds.
We welcome conversations with family offices, corporate investors and people who share our long-term view.
06 Before we speak
Good questions.
Straight answers.
A little clarity before the first conversation.
How early can we speak to you?
Before the company, before the round, or while you are still testing a prototype. Tell us about the problem, your team and what you need to prove next. We focus on pre-seed and can also invest at later stages.
Do you only back humanoid robots?
Our focus spans robotic systems, physical AI and the deep tech foundations underneath them. That includes industrial machines, drones, medical robotics, autonomy software, sensors and specialised hardware.
What happens after I introduce my team?
We review your introduction and explore whether there is a fit. The next conversation is about the team, the technology, the customer and the next milestone. Any investment follows separate diligence and agreement on terms.
What support comes with an investment?
We help founders find talent, make relevant introductions and prepare for the next financing milestone. The work depends on the company: proving a use case, clarifying the commercial story or building the team around the technology.