tech
The VC firm behind Shopify is doubling down on robotics and defense
The venture capital firm, best known for bets on Shopify, Notion, and Mercor, has hired a new partner to invest in physical world technologies.
TL;DR
- Felicis Ventures has hired Graham Littlehale as a partner to invest in aerospace, defense, energy, manufacturing, and robotics.
- This move signifies Felicis's increased focus on companies operating in the physical world.
- The trend towards "hard tech" investment is growing across Silicon Valley due to AI's expansion into machines, falling costs, labor shortages, and reshoring efforts.
- Robotics and physical AI startups saw record funding in Q1 2026.
- Littlehale plans to focus on manufacturing foundation models and industrial robots, suggesting robotics AI may evolve from specialized tasks to general intelligence.
- Investments in space and undersea technology are also priorities, considered crucial for US economic resilience and national security.