The state of robotics investment
Peter Finn, managing director of Cowen’s Industrials Investment Banking group, discusses the current state of robotics investment, noting that while venture funding remains robust, rising interest rates and inflation are tightening late-stage valuations and forcing a 'flight to quality.' He analyzes Amazon’s pending $17 billion acquisition of iRobot as a strategic move for smart home data, while also highlighting labor shortages in warehousing, agriculture, and construction as key drivers for automation adoption. Finn advises early-stage founders to prioritize securing capital from the right investor profile over maximizing valuation in the current environment.