The Robotics Revolution: Automating the Factory of the Future and Beyond
BMW i Ventures, the venture capital fund backed by BMW, invites you to a networking event and panel discussion that asks the question: How will robotics redefine the future?
Join us to hear startup founders in robotics and automation offer their insights on emerging trends, challenges, and the future landscape of industrial technology. This will be an opportunity to network with peers, share ideas, and gain a deeper understanding of how robotics will shape the future of manufacturing and our economy.
Event Details
Date: June 4, 2024
Agenda
Networking 5:00-6:00
Panel Discussion 6:00-6:30
Drinks, food and networking 6:30-7:30
Hosted by: BMW i Ventures
The panel discussion will include:
Natasha Mascarenhas, Reporter with The Information (moderator)
Marin Tchakarov, CEO of Fox Robotics
Jordan Sun, Head of Product at Softbank Robotics
Jeff Linnell, founder and CEO of Formant
What to expect:
Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry peers, investors and corporates over light bites and drinks.
Insights: Gain valuable insights into how robotics shaping the future of industry and what’s next for the sector.
We look forward to seeing you there!
About the Speakers
Natasha Mascarenhas, Reporter with The Information
Natasha Mascarenhas is a reporter covering the intersection of venture capital and startups. She previously covered the tech beat for the Boston Globe, Crunchbase News, and most recently, TechCrunch. A graduate of Boston University, she is currently based in San Francisco. She can be reached at natasha@theinformation.com or on Signal at +1 925-271-0912 Follow her on Twitter @nmasc_ .
Marin Tchakarov, CEO of Fox Robotics
A technology executive with over 29 years of experience, Marin Tchakarov leads Fox Robotics in developing intelligent automated solutions that drive productive, efficient, and safe warehouse operations. As CEO, Marin remains focused on expanding the company’s reach, drawing on his successful track record in growing operations and sales at leading tech firms including KPMG, Oracle, Jawbone, Pebble Tech and Kindred AI, among others. Prior to joining Fox Robotics, Marin was instrumental in FitBit’s acquisition of Pebble Tech, and he led the acquisition of Kindred AI, an innovator of AI-powered robots used for fulfillment, by global technology leader Ocado Group. Marin combines expertise in business and product strategy with his deep knowledge of supply chain, fulfillment, and next-generation robotics to steer the company’s vision of a world in which robots and humans collaborate to make life better.
Jordan Sun, VP of Softbank Robotics
Jordan Sun is Vice President of Product at SoftBank Robotics America and brings over 15 years of leadership experience across technology, government, and finance. He previously served as the Chief Innovation Officer for the City of San José, Mayor’s Office during the pandemic. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve (rank of Major) and U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service (Political Officer) with multiple tours across Afghanistan, Japan, and Taiwan. As part of the Army’s modernization journey, Sun was the 75th Innovation Command’s Head of Tech Scouting and Innovation for Silicon Valley and Chief Operating Officer (COO)/Product Lead for an experimental tech unit with the US Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan. In addition, he was CEO of an incubated AI workforce venture at Siemens Healthineers and an alum of In-Q-Tel (CIA strategic VC arm)’s investments team. Sun started his career in New York as an Analyst in Sales & Trading at Nomura Securities’s Fixed Income Division. Sun attended Yale School of Management and NYU Stern School of Business.
Jeff Linnell, CEO of Formant
Jeff Linnell is the founder and CEO of Formant, a cloud robotics platform for businesses. As a serial entrepreneur, Linnell has founded multiple companies spanning the domains of web technologies, 3D animation, post-production, and augmented reality. Before founding Formant, Linnell served as Head of Robotics at Google X. He previously founded Autofuss, a design/production company, and Bot & Dolly, an engineering studio specializing in automation, robotics, and film. The latter was recognized with a technical achievement Oscar for its novel robotics application on the film Gravity, and its groundbreaking short, ‘Box’. Both Autofuss and Bot and Dolly were acquired by Google in 2013.