rapid raises $12m for its manufacturing robotics
Rapid Robotics Secures $12 Million in Series A Funding
Rapid Robotics, a company headquartered in the Bay Area, has announced the completion of a $12 million Series A funding round. This new investment, spearheaded by NEA, elevates the company’s total funding to $17.5 million.
The current funding builds upon a seed round that was previously disclosed in November of the preceding year. Existing investors, including Greycroft, Bee Partners, and 468 Capital, also participated in this latest round.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Robotics Investment
It was previously observed that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced investment within the robotics sector. The pandemic demonstrably accelerated interest in automation technologies.
Many positions classified as “non-essential” experienced disruptions due to travel restrictions. Currently, a substantial number of manufacturing roles are not conducive to remote work arrangements.
Production Volume and US Manufacturing Trends
Rapid Robotics reports that its technology facilitated the production of approximately 50 million parts over the last twelve months. This production spanned a diverse range of manufacturing industries.
President Biden has also begun to emphasize strategies aimed at revitalizing manufacturing employment within the United States. Any successful plan will require careful consideration of the interplay between human labor and automation.
Addressing the Challenges in Manufacturing
The company highlights the persistent difficulties associated with relying on human operators in manufacturing settings. According to CEO Jordan Kretchmer, “If this problem isn’t addressed, U.S. manufacturers will struggle to remain competitive on a global scale.”
He further emphasized the critical nature of finding a solution, stating, “It’s really that simple.”
Rapid Robotics’ Core Offering: Ease of Deployment
A key differentiator for Rapid Robotics is its focus on user-friendliness. The company designs its systems for rapid deployment and quick implementation.
Their solutions are engineered to be operational with minimal setup time and complexity.
Brian Heater
Brian Heater: A Veteran of Tech Journalism
Brian Heater held the position of Hardware Editor at TechCrunch until the beginning of 2025. Throughout his career, he has consistently contributed to prominent technology-focused media outlets.
Extensive Experience in Tech Publications
Heater’s professional background includes significant roles at several leading publications. These encompass Engadget, PCMag, Laptop, and Tech Times, where he ultimately functioned as the Managing Editor.
His journalistic work isn't limited to tech-specific platforms. Heater’s writing has been featured in a diverse range of publications, demonstrating his versatility as a writer.
A Broad Spectrum of Published Work
- Spin
- Wired
- Playboy
- Entertainment Weekly
- The Onion
- Boing Boing
- Publishers Weekly
- The Daily Beast
This list represents just a selection of the many publications that have showcased his writing. His ability to adapt his style to different audiences is noteworthy.
Beyond the Written Word
In addition to his writing career, Brian Heater is also involved in audio media. He currently hosts the weekly Boing Boing interview podcast, titled RiYL.
Heater has also contributed regularly to NPR as a commentator. Furthermore, he shares his residence in Queens with a pet rabbit named Juniper.