State of Deep Tech VC
Startups building in the physical world raised $47.4B in the first half of 2026. That's more than they raised in 2022, 2023, and 2024 combined.
Robotics, defense, nuclear, energy, and advanced manufacturing are back in fashion. But when everyone agrees a sector is the future, where is the alpha left? And if you're picking where to spend the next decade, how do you tell real engineering from a good narrative?
Join the HBS Automation and Deep Tech Club for an unfiltered conversation with three deep tech GPs on what's real, what's hype, and how to make your own bets.
Panelists
Abe Murray, General Partner, AlleyCorp
Anirudh Pai, General Partner, Robot Ventures
Lior Prosor, General Partner, Eclipse
What we'll cover
Over- and under-hyped: Is defense the new crypto circa 2021? Which robotics, nuclear, and physical AI bets compound over the next decade, and which are the emperor with no clothes?
Evaluating hard tech: the frameworks GPs use to judge deeply technical disciplines, separate real engineering from hype, and underwrite technical, manufacturing, and political risk.
Betting your career: how to choose a deep tech company as a founder or an early joiner, and how to know when to go all in.
Audience Q&A