{
  "id": 87912,
  "title": "The VC firm behind Shopify is doubling down on robotics and defense",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/the-vc-firm-behind-shopify-is-doubling-down-on-robotics-and-defense",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-03T14:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/felicis-hires-graham-littlehale-to-lead-hard-tech-startup-focus-2026-8"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Felicis, the venture capital firm known for investing in Shopify, Notion, and Mercor, has appointed Graham Littlehale as a partner. Littlehale will focus on investing in hard-tech startups, which includes robotics, defense, aerospace, energy, and manufacturing. Felicis sees this as a strategic move to double down on the physical world, as the venture industry increasingly recognizes the value of hardware and physical AI.\n\nLittlehale's expertise spans various sectors, including robotics, defense, and aerospace, having previously invested in companies such as Stoke Space and Rune Technologies. His background in natural resources and energy infrastructure further positions him well to navigate the evolving landscape of hard tech.\n\nThe investment focus on hard tech comes as investors across the Bay Area renew their interest in physical technologies. The growing importance of AI, falling costs, labor shortages, and geopolitical pressures have pushed companies to reshape their supply chains, making robotics and physical AI startups more attractive to investors. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, robotics and physical AI startups raised a record $16.3 billion across 492 deals.\n\nLittlehale plans to concentrate on \"manufacturing foundation models,\" which are AI systems that can guide products from concept to production. He is also interested in digital tools that streamline hardware development and robots tailored for industries such as construction. Additionally, he intends to explore investments in space and undersea technology, believing these sectors are crucial for the U.S.'s economic resilience and national security.\n\nAs Felicis reaffirms its commitment to the future of the physical economy, Littlehale's appointment signals the company's renewed emphasis on investing in the tangible aspects of innovation.",
  "summary": "The venture capital firm, best known for bets on Shopify, Notion, and Mercor, has hired a new partner to invest in physical world technologies.",
  "key_points": [
    "Felicis VC firm invests in robotics and defense sectors",
    "Graham Littlehale appointed as Felicis partner",
    "$16.3 billion raised in robotics deals in Q1 2026"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Felicis's appointment of Graham Littlehale as a partner to focus on hard-tech startups signals the firm's bet that physical technologies will gain greater prominence in the venture landscape.",
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/87912.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}