# An Interview with Eric Klein

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2020-06-08
- Length: 1h 18m
- Episode: 495
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-06-08-an-interview-with-eric-klein
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/495-an-interview-with-eric-klein/

## Summary

Eric Klein, partner at Lemnos Labs, discusses the state of hardware venture capital, explaining why VCs have shifted away from consumer electronics toward industrial and applied robotics due to lower risk and higher margins. He highlights specific investments like Dishcraft, which automates restaurant dishwashing, and Elroy Air, which develops autonomous air cargo delivery, illustrating how falling component costs enable new markets. Klein emphasizes that successful hardware founders must combine technical expertise with strong storytelling and business acumen, noting that investors prioritize the team's ability to navigate the 'fog of war' over perfect prototypes.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-06-08-an-interview-with-eric-klein#t=0) Introduction and Hardware Investing Context
- [5:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-06-08-an-interview-with-eric-klein#t=319) The Shift from Consumer to Industrial Robotics
- [11:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-06-08-an-interview-with-eric-klein#t=700) Applied Robotics and the Welding Example
- [15:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-06-08-an-interview-with-eric-klein#t=959) Electrification and Autonomous Delivery
- [30:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-06-08-an-interview-with-eric-klein#t=1839) Regulatory Challenges for Delivery Robots
- [37:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-06-08-an-interview-with-eric-klein#t=2253) Team Composition and Storytelling for Founders
- [51:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-06-08-an-interview-with-eric-klein#t=3085) Dishcraft and Product-as-a-Service Economics
- [1:06:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-06-08-an-interview-with-eric-klein#t=4001) Founder Journey and Community Networking

## Topics

- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Lemnos Labs (company)
- Dishcraft (company)
- Elroy Air (company)
- Zipline (company)
- Marble (company)
- Starship (company)
- Electrify (company)
- Velodyne (product)
- KUKA (product)
- Lincoln Electric (product)
- Hobart (product)
- Supercon (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [178: Venture Capital Funding for Hardware Startups](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-06-01-178-venture-capital-funding-for-hardware-startups) (Product Startup)
- [Why Hardware Startups Are Finally Investable Again](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-02-10-why-hardware-startups-are-finally-investable-again) (OnTrack)
- [Deep Tech Investing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-08-02-deep-tech-investing) (Oxide and Friends)
- [S3 E4: An Impact Hardware VC's Playbook with Carlota Ochoa from Extentia](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2025-11-11-s3-e4-an-impact-hardware-vcs-playbook-with-carlota-ochoa-from-extentia) (The Builder Circle)
- [BONUS: Hear what Investors, Educators, and High Growth Companies have to say about the future of Robotics, Automation, and AI, Pt. 1 of 2 (brought to you by Cascadia Capital)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-06-24-bonus-hear-what-investors-educators-and-high-growth-companies-have-to-say-about) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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