Bossart sees potential in Europe and Asia and aims to shift the portfolio towards investments in later-stage startups. She is focusing on three key areas: AI, bipedal/humanoid robots, and startups with technology that can improve middle-mile and last-mile delivery. She also sees promise in applying generative AI to robotics and automation, and in middle- and last-mile solutions to deliver packages faster. Amazon's fund is also interested in startups working on technology for all points of the supply chain, including small automation tools that help unload packages faster.
Key takeaways:
- Amazon's Industrial Innovation Fund, launched in 2022, has been investing in U.S. and Israeli startups focused on logistics, supply chain, and customer fulfillment, with plans to expand geographically and into areas like generative AI.
- The fund's new head, Franziska Bossart, is interested in AI, bipedal/humanoid robots, and technology improving middle-mile and last-mile delivery, and sees potential in Europe and Asia.
- Amazon has been testing Agility Robotics' bipedal walking robot, Digit, at its R&D facility and is interested in how such robots can work collaboratively with humans to improve safety.
- Amazon also has a $2 billion Climate Pledge Fund, launched in 2020, to invest in sustainable technologies and services to help the company reach its commitment to be net-zero carbon in its operations by 2040.