Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Eclipse Ventures Raises $1.3 Billion To Back and Build Physical AI Startups

An operator model aims to speed hardware from prototype to production.

Overview

  • Eclipse closed $1.3 billion across two funds to target capital‑heavy areas such as AI infrastructure, robotics, manufacturing, energy, and defense.
  • The firm set aside $591 million for an early‑stage and incubation vehicle, with a separate fund focused on growth‑stage companies.
  • Its thesis centers on “physical AI,” which applies advanced software and machine intelligence to machines, factories, vehicles, and other real‑world systems.
  • Leaders say they will incubate new startups in‑house and share customer networks and manufacturing expertise across the portfolio, with backing from U.S. endowments, foundations, and hospital systems.
  • Eclipse cites AI progress, supply‑chain and geopolitical pressures, and U.S. manufacturing policy as tailwinds, and recent bets include Wayve, Redwood Materials, Arc, Bedrock Robotics, Mind Robotics, and Cerebras.