Nvidia alumni drive new wave of physical AI and robotics startups

Former Nvidia employees are driving a new wave of startups focused on robotics and “physical AI.” Following Nvidia’s multi-billion dollar investments in the sector, several veteran researchers and engineers have departed to found their own companies, such as Veeda AI, which focuses on creating simulated worlds for robot training.

These new ventures cover various niches, including warehouse robotics software and enterprise operational robots. While some former employees noted that Nvidia remains a hardware-centric company, they expressed a desire to focus more directly on practical robotics applications. This trend is supported by a surge in venture capital, with global funding for physical AI companies reaching $33.4 billion in the first half of the year.

Nvidia continues to benefit from this ecosystem, as the proliferation of startups creates increased demand for the foundational AI chips and infrastructure the company provides.