NYC Launches Robotics Hub with 160+ Startups

New York City is making its big play to become a global robotics powerhouse, and the numbers prove it's already happening.

New York Robotics officially launched this month after two years of quietly building one of America's most comprehensive robotics networks. The nonprofit now connects more than 160 robotics startups across the Tri-State region, with nearly 100 in New York City alone.

The organization formed to solve a problem that was holding the city back. While New York had world-class engineers, abundant investment capital, and eager corporate customers, these groups rarely connected with each other.

Now they're all talking. New York Robotics has brought together 450 robotics startups worldwide, 80 major corporations, 20 academic institutions, and 300 venture capital firms actively investing in the field.

Jacob Hennessey-Rubin, the organization's founding board member and executive director, sees New York's central position in global tech as a natural advantage. "This is a place where researchers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and investors can collaborate to shape the future of robotics," he said.

Major players are already backing the vision. J.P. Morgan, New York University, and AlleyCorp have signed on as founding members, along with more than a dozen other organizations committed to growing the city's robotics economy.

The organization released a private beta of the NYR Index, a tool that gives partners exclusive access to data about startups, investors, labs, and enterprise participants. Over the past two years, they've hosted more than 20 events, including the first robotics programming during NY TechWeek.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about tech companies finding success. The robotics ecosystem is creating opportunities across multiple sectors and skill levels throughout the region.

New York Robotics partnered with C10 Labs, selected by NYCEDC for the NYC AI Nexus, to build ventures in robotics, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, biotechnology, and sustainability. The partnership will include ecosystem events, startup mentorship, and workforce development programs.

Evan Beard, founder and CEO of Standard Bots, pointed to the city's unique advantages. "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," he said.

The timing matters too. As robotics and embodied AI move from research labs into real-world applications, having a connected ecosystem helps innovations reach people faster.

From a grassroots meetup in 2021 to a formal nonprofit in 2024, New York Robotics transformed a fragmented community into a thriving hub that's ready to compete on the global stage.