Social Hardware, an innovation startup focused on designing assistive devices, bionics, and field robotics, has secured Rs 3.2 crore in its seed funding round. Inflection Point Ventures led the round, with participation from Ivyleague Ventures and Soonicorn Ventures.
The funds will be used for growth and go-to-market strategies. The company plans to build a strong marketing and sales team, establish an advanced R&D facility, expand in-house manufacturing, and strengthen its research efforts.
Abhit Kumar, Cameron Norris, and Raghavendran Arunachalam founded Social Hardware, which creates teleoperated robotic systems for hazardous environments. It serves manufacturing, infrastructure, defense, and aerospace industries, offering solutions that improve safety and efficiency in tough conditions.
Vikram Ramasubramanian, Partner, Inflection Point Ventures says, “Technology went far and beyond in many sectors but remained untouched in some like manufacturing, defense, and aerospace where it still needs human intervention. The challenge of hazardous operations in these sectors has posed a long threat to safety, often limiting innovation and progress. Social Hardware, with its teleoperated robotic system, addresses this critical issue by offering safer alternatives like robots that can be controlled remotely, removing the physical need of a human in a dangerous environment. With innovation that brings inclusivity to both sectors and society, Social Hardware is a pioneer that will bring out positive change in manufacturing, defense, and aerospace sectors.”
Abhit Kumar, Co-founder & CEO, Social Hardware, says, “At Social Hardware, we are transforming how industries manage hazardous environments with teleoperated robots engineered to perform high-risk tasks with precision and safety, reducing the need for direct human involvement. Our technology doesn’t replace workers but enhances their capabilities—enabling them to control robots remotely and apply their expertise while staying safe. Over the past two years, we’ve advanced telerobotics to help industries operate more efficiently and safely. Many companies still rely on outdated methods, exposing workers to unnecessary risks. Our cutting-edge solutions, including augmented reality and gesture-based controls, are designed to minimize these dangers while keeping human expertise at the heart of operations.”
The startup has a team of 17, working across two locations in Bengaluru: a corporate office in Hebbal and an R&D facility in Rajajinagar. Social Hardware’s current production capacity is 12 units for FY 2024-25, which will triple to 36 units by FY26, targeting a revenue of Rs 24.76 crore.
