Hard Tech in the AI Era: What Investors Really Look For + Networking
This is not our event, but Angel Launch is pleased to be a marketing partner with IEEE Systems County and offer this program for free to our members.
Include delicious free breakfast and networking with investors.Overview
A morning of learning and networking with investors who have built, scaled, and now fund the next generation of deep tech startups.
For founders and innovators in AI, robotics, and other hard tech domains.
Raising capital in hard tech comes with unique challenges—long development cycles, deep technical risk, and capital-intensive development—but it’s also where some of the most exciting innovations are happening.
Meet investors with perspectives spanning corporate venture, founder-turned-investors, and specialist hard tech funds. We’ll explore how AI is reshaping hardware investing, what investors look for, and how founders can navigate the journey from lab to market.
Panelists
Spencer Greene — General Partner at TSV Capital (TSVC)
Muffi Ghadiali — Partner at i3 Ventures (serial entrepreneur turned investor)
Michael Harries — Partner at The Robotics Hub Fund (robotics-focused fund)
Alexander Fries — General Partner at Ecosystem Ventures
More panelists will be added.
Moderated by Andra Keay, Managing Director of Silicon Valley Robotics.
What We Will Ask the Investors
How AI is influencing their hardware investment strategies
Why hardware is regaining importance in the AI stack
What they look for in hard tech founders and teams
How to navigate technical risk, capital intensity, and time-to-market
Differences across corporate VC, founder-led funds, and specialist investors
Agenda
9:00 AM - Registration and networking breakfast
10:00 AM - Program
11:00 AM - Networking
Venue partner:
Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP is a full-service law firm based in California, with several offices throughout the state, including Palo Alto. With a team of approximately 200 experienced attorneys, the firm provides practical, industry-focused legal solutions across corporate, intellectual property, labor, and other areas, and is recognized for strong client service and global affiliations.
This session is hosted by:
IEEE Systems Council is a global technical community advancing systems engineering and complex technology integration. It includes 23 of the largest IEEE Societies and thousands of IEEE technology professional worldwide. This program is part of the activities to better connect IEEE Systems Council with the industry, including founders, builders, and investors in key innovation ecosystems.