New York Emerges as a Global Robotics Hub as 160 Startups Take Root Across the Tri-State Area positioning the region alongside the world’s top robotics capitals

New York, NY (January 28, 2026) — New York's robotics moment has arrived. As robotics and embodied AI accelerate from research into real-world deployment, New York Robotics (NYR) today announced its official launch, revealing a fast-scaling ecosystem that now includes more than 160 robotics startups across the Tri-State region, with nearly 100 in New York City alone. The milestone signals New York's rapid emergence as a serious global contender in robotics, alongside established hubs such as Boston, Silicon Valley, Pittsburgh, Munich, Zurich, and Denmark.

The announcement coincides with NYR's sponsorship of AlleyCorp's inaugural Deep Tech NY conference, underscoring New York's growing role as a convergence point for robotics innovation, capital, and enterprise adoption. Over the past two years, NYR has quietly assembled one of the most comprehensive robotics networks in the United States, engaging more than 450 robotics startups worldwide, including 160+ in the Tri-State region, alongside 80+ industry-leading corporations, 20+ academic institutions, 40+ robotics and embodied AI research labs, 300+ venture capital firms actively investing in robotics, 45 domestic and international government organizations, and 150+ service providers and ecosystem partners.

Formed in January 2024, NYR was built to address a long-standing gap: while New York has world-class talent, capital, and customers, its robotics community historically operated in silos. NYR's mission is to unify that fragmented landscape and establish New York City and the broader Tri-State region as a premier global center for robotics innovation, investment, and industry growth.

To date, NYR has named several founding members including J.P. Morgan, New York University, AlleyCorp, EisnerAmper, Cybernetix Ventures, and more than 14 additional organizations that are committed to advancing New York's robotics economy.

"Our vision is to leverage New York's centrality on the global technology stage to become a leading hub for robotics innovation," said Jacob Hennessey-Rubin, Founding Board Member and Executive Director of New York Robotics. "This is a place where researchers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and investors can collaborate to shape the future of robotics. By rapidly expanding the ecosystem and elevating robotics as a serious investment class on Wall Street, we're positioning New York for long-term leadership in this transformative sector."

"We see New York Robotics as a kind of exchange," added Randy Howie, Founding Board Member of New York Robotics. "It's a platform where startups, enterprises, investors, academia, and government can connect efficiently, align incentives, and ensure that growth in robotics translates into broad economic impact."

"J.P. Morgan is thrilled to support the rise of New York's robotics industry", said Aneeka Sajid, Applied Technology Market Executive for J.P. Morgan's Innovation Economy business. "New York Robotics is building the foundation for a vibrant ecosystem that will spark innovation, connection and opportunity for the city's founders and builders."

As part of its platform, NYR recently released a private-beta version of the NYR Index, a proprietary ecosystem intelligence tool that provides partners with exclusive access to data, insights, and mapping across startups, investors, labs, and enterprise participants.

NYR has also hosted or co-hosted more than 20 events over the past two years, including the first-ever robotics programming during NY TechWeek, helping elevate robotics as a visible and strategic sector within New York's broader technology landscape.

In addition, NYR has entered into partnerships to advance the region's robotics economy, including a partnership with C10 Labs, one of the operators selected by NYCEDC for the NYC AI Nexus. C10 Labs will build and grow Applied AI ventures in New York City within the robotics and advanced manufacturing sectors, as well as across healthcare, biotechnology, sustainability, and energy. NYR is excited to support C10 Labs in this endeavor through ecosystem events, startup mentorship, and more.

"Robotics is essential to solving the world's most pressing challenges," said Fady Saad, Founder and Managing Partner of Cybernetix Ventures, and NY Robotics Board Member. "New York has the key ingredients to fuel robotics innovation from inception to billion dollar exits."

"The New York metro area offers everything you need to build a robotics company," said Evan Beard, Founder and CEO of Standard Bots. "The city's energy and opportunities attract top engineers from around the world, while areas like Long Island provide the industrial infrastructure necessary to scale."

"We see New York as essential to the global robotics community, and the work New York Robotics is doing to strengthen that network is hugely impactful to the future growth and success of so many startups here in the city," said Abe Murray, General Partner at AlleyCorp.

Founding, Annual, and Strategic Partners of New York Robotics include EisnerAmper, New York University, J.P. Morgan, AlleyCorp, Informa Markets, Interwoven Ventures, Polsinelli, Standard Bots, Monozukuri Ventures, SDP/SI, Mercer Labs, Tech:NYC, Cybernetix Ventures, Newlab, C10, Milkshake Studio, Cozen O'Connor, and The Batchery.

About NYR
New York Robotics began in the summer of 2021 as a grassroots meetup aimed at uniting the fragmented robotics community across the New York Tri-State region. In January 2024, NYR incorporated as a non-profit dedicated to advancing the robotics industry. Through economic and workforce development, high-impact events, the NYR digital platform, strategic programs, tailored services, and global partnerships, NYR has transformed a once-fragmented community into an engaged, united, thriving ecosystem.

Learn more by visiting nycrobotics.org or contact NYR via email at hello@nycrobotics.org