That’s a wrap for Deep Tech Forum 2024! The series of events in North America & Japan is over for this year but the conversation will continue in 2025…
After a hectic year with activities in Toronto, NYC, Pittsburgh, Kyoto, Boston & the Bay Area, it’s time to recap some of highlights of the event series we co-hosted in Canada, the US & Japan, as we plan the next gatherings in 2025!
Earlier this year, I shared some initial thoughts on the series of events we kicked off in 2024:
Winter
- Jan 15th: Deep Tech Forum Toronto at Tory’s LLP
- Jan 17th: Deep Tech Forum NYC at IndieBio NY
- Jan 19th: Deep Tech Forum Pittsburgh at Robotics Factory
Spring
- March 8th: Deep Tech Forum Kyoto (Japan)
- April 30th: Monozukuri Hub Meetup with J-BRIDGE: Global Robotics Innovation Welcome Reception in Boston with JETRO.
Fall
- Sept 24h: Deep Tech Forum NYC — Climate Tech with HAX/SOSV in Newark, NJ
- Oct 15th: Deep Tech Silicon Valley at Venture Lab Niterra Group in Santa Clara, CA
The only place where we co-hosted two events in less than 10 months was NYC metro area, where our events in January at IndieBio and September at HAX Newark helped to highlight the new wave of innovation happening beyond SaaS/fintech hubs, mainly focused on hardtech, deep tech and climate tech, where physical solutions that will impact carbon emissions actually happen!
This time we chose the new HQ of HAX in Newark, one of the most relevant hardtech accelerators in the world, as part of SOSV, a global venture capital firm providing investments to support deep tech founders. Many hardtech founders in the startup community have mentioned they were not aware of this new hub, since HAX used to be based in Shenzhen, China. More over, SOSV Closed in 2024 a Climate Tech Startup Fund of $306 Million, which will be helping to accelerate the pace of startups disrupting the dirty, dull, dangerous and dear, a.k.a the 4 Ds of robotization (more on this Forbes's article).
So why does it make sense to co-host an event in Newark during Climate Week NYC? In order to understand the deep tech startup ecosystem, we must expand our reach beyond Manhattan, where most financial players are based, and consider the entire metro area, where supply chain, logistics and manufacturing players are based!
Many Japanese manufacturing companies I met recently haven’t been aware of how their own industry is currently facing major changes in the way things are done in the US, from supply chain and logistics to procurement, considering new goals on carbon footprint reduction and overall a more sustainable production. And most surprisingly, how the semiconductor and manufacturing industries will need to improve their current processes in order to survive the next wave of automation influenced by advances in AI and autonomous solutions aligned with new decarbonization goals.
NYC: The New Epicenter of Deep Tech Innovation — How Robotics, AI & Automation are Tackling Climate Challenges
In the fast-evolving landscape of climate technologies, New York City is quickly emerging as a central player, bringing together many ecosystem players in deep tech innovation, specially in robotics, AI, automation, thanks to the urban and mobility tech market potential.
with Jacob Hennessey-Rubin, Executive Director, New York Robotics Network (NYRN), Ji Ke, Chief Technology Officer of HAX, SOSV, Stacey Weismiller, US Center for Advanced Manufacturing, moderated by Naomi Stevens, Program Manager of HAX, SOSV
The city’s historical importance as a trade and financial hub, alongside robust educational and research institutions and strong governmental support, has positioned NYC at the forefront of what may be the most significant technological shift in urban and environmental sustainability.
But how exactly are these deep tech fields — primarily robotics, AI, and automation — poised to address some of the world’s toughest climate challenges? And what does NYC’s unique ecosystem offer that sets it apart from other tech hubs? These are some of the questions to be further discussed within our next events.
NYC’s Deep Tech Edge: Where Robotics and Climate Solutions Intersect
Climate tech is a term that has gained momentum in recent years, and each corporation or investment firm might have its own interpretations and/or detailed metrics. But at its core and in order to make it simplified for our own conversations, we’d assume it’s a “tech with a focus on reducing waste and carbon footprint”
From minimizing carbon emissions to optimizing resources and waste management, climate tech solutions aim to make every aspect of life more sustainable. Within this realm, robotics and automation play an essential role in enhancing efficiency, reducing energy use, and innovating manufacturing processes, from how raw materials are sourced, transported and transformed into final products, which in turn will be distributed via logistics centers across the globe.
One example brought at the panel discussion was Standard Bots, a company designing and manufacturing robotic arms entirely within the United States. By localizing production, they not only reduce the environmental impact associated with overseas manufacturing but also help create a supply chain less reliant on global logistics — a critical step in reducing carbon footprints and making tech solutions more sustainable.
Advanced Manufacturing for Sustainability: The New Industrial Evolution
Manufacturing has traditionally been a major source of carbon emissions and environmental degradation. However, with NYC’s deep tech focus, the industry is shifting toward advanced, decentralized manufacturing that aims to support sustainability targets in urban areas.
Robotics and automation are at the heart of this transformation, enabling more efficient production processes that cut down on waste and energy use.
Yet, despite these advances, onshoring production still faces challenges. New business models, cutting-edge technology, and innovative supply chain strategies are essential to making onshoring feasible, sustainable, and cost-effective. The push for onshoring is partly driven by government policies, such as the Investing in America plan and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which encourage clean energy investments and infrastructure upgrades.
Investment and Corporate Appetite in Climate Tech
NYC’s position as a climate tech epicenter isn’t only due to robotics and innovation. A thriving investment landscape, backed by city, state, and federal incentives, is fueling climate-focused startups. Recent trends show a transition from simply creating enabling technologies to integrating solutions that address concrete environmental issues. This shift has garnered substantial interest from corporations eager to engage with early-stage startups and implement climate tech solutions in their own operations.
Government initiatives like I-Corps offer additional support, providing companies with resources and guidance to take their ideas from labs to real-world applications.
Moreover, spaces like HAX’s new Newark location and newLab at Brooklyn Navy Yard, provide startups with the infrastructure they need to iterate rapidly and make meaningful progress, positioning the region as a powerhouse of climate innovation.
NYC’s Educational Powerhouse Fuels Climate Tech Progress
No innovation hub is complete without a strong educational and research foundation. NYC’s numerous universities and institutions, located within a 30–40-mile radius, play a vital role in developing the talent and knowledge necessary for climate solutions. From NYU to Columbia and CUNY, these institutions foster a pipeline of skilled individuals and research partnerships that directly impact the success of climate tech startups.
The presence of such a robust educational ecosystem also facilitates knowledge transfer and workforce development. By connecting with industry leaders and tapping into research hubs, NYC’s climate tech ecosystem benefits from a continuous influx of fresh ideas, technical expertise, and entrepreneurial talent.
Collaboration and Ecosystem Cohesion: Key to NYC’s Climate Tech Success
In the deep tech and climate tech industries, collaboration is crucial. Cross-sector partnerships between robotics, AI, mobility, and other sectors enable a more cohesive ecosystem where diverse technologies can be integrated and optimized. For instance, robotics and automation can pair with mobility solutions to reduce urban traffic emissions or collaborate with AI to monitor and manage energy consumption across a city.
Policy changes, too, play a pivotal role in scaling climate solutions. Encouraging companies and their supply chains to stay local fosters an environment where rapid execution is possible, supported by an ecosystem of partners who are all working toward the same goals.
Final Thoughts: NYC as a Model for the Future of Climate Tech Innovation
As climate tech evolves from enabling technologies to real-world solutions, NYC stands out as an epicenter of innovation, collaboration, and investment. Its unique combination of governmental support, corporate interest, educational infrastructure, and talent pool has created an environment ripe for tackling climate challenges.
NYC is setting a powerful example of what it takes to build a sustainable future through robotics, AI, automation, and deep tech innovation. As the need for climate solutions becomes more pressing, cities around the world may look to NYC’s approach as a blueprint for integrating technology, sustainability, and community to make a lasting impact on the environment.
By harnessing its strengths and investing in a collaborative ecosystem, NYC is not only becoming a leader in deep tech but also paving the way for a future where urban innovation and climate responsibility go hand in hand.
Join the Conversation: if you’d like to join our Deep Tech Forum series to drive impactful discussions, foster cross-border partnerships, and build the future of manufacturing, let’s meet in NYC on Jan 22th for our next Deep Tech Forum event: https://lu.ma/ftlf7565?
