People ask me all the time what the next big thing is. They want to know where I’m putting my money. And I’ll tell you, it’s not in another SaaS company. It’s in companies like Figure AI.
I’ve been in the tech world for a long time. I’ve built and sold two companies, and I’ve invested in over 200 startups, including some of the biggest names in AI like Anthropic and OpenAI. I’ve seen a lot of hype, and I’ve seen a lot of companies fail. But what I see in Figure AI is different. It’s not just hype. It’s the real deal.
The Future is Physical
For the last decade, AI has been all about software. We’ve seen incredible advances in natural language processing, computer vision, and machine learning. But the next wave of AI is going to be physical. It’s going to be about robots that can interact with the real world, that can do things that humans can do, but better.
This is where Figure AI comes in. They’re not just building another robot. They’re building a humanoid robot that can think, learn, and adapt to its environment. They’re building a robot that can work alongside humans in factories, warehouses, and even in our homes.
A World-Class Team
One of the first things I look for in a startup is the team. And the team at Figure AI is second to none. They’ve assembled a team of the world’s leading robotics experts, with over 100 years of combined experience in AI and humanoid robotics. These are the people who have been dreaming about this technology for decades, and now they’re finally making it a reality.
I know from experience that building a successful company is all about the people. When I was building RemoteTeam, I had to assemble a team of engineers, designers, and marketers from all over the world. It wasn’t easy, but we did it. And that’s what I see at Figure AI. A team that is passionate, dedicated, and has the skills to execute on their vision.
The Technology Stack
So what’s under the hood? What makes Figure AI’s robots so special? It all comes down to their technology stack. They’ve built their own AI stack from the ground up, which gives them a huge advantage over their competitors. They’re not relying on off-the-shelf solutions. They’re building everything in-house, from the hardware to the software.
Here’s a quick rundown of their tech stack:
- Helix: This is their vision-language-action (VLA) model. It’s the brain of the robot. It allows the robot to understand natural language, see the world around it, and take action.
- Custom AI Models: They’re developing their own custom AI models, trained on NVIDIA H100 GPUs. This allows them to optimize their models for their specific hardware and use cases.
- Full-Body Autonomy: Their latest model, Helix 02, has full-body autonomy. This means that a single neural system controls the entire body, from pixels to actions. This is a huge breakthrough in robotics.
Real-World Applications
This isn’t just a research project. Figure AI is already deploying their robots in the real world. They’ve partnered with BMW to use their robots in their manufacturing plant in South Carolina. Their robots are already helping to produce 30,000 cars. This is just the beginning. I predict that we’ll see Figure AI’s robots in a wide variety of industries in the coming years, from logistics and warehousing to healthcare and retail.
The Bottom Line
I’ve seen a lot of startups in my time, but Figure AI is one of the most exciting companies I’ve come across in a long time. They have the team, the technology, and the vision to completely transform the world of robotics. I’m not just an investor. I’m a true believer. Mark my words, Figure AI is a name you’re going to be hearing a lot more of in the coming years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I apply this thinking to my own situation?
Start by identifying the core principle behind the opinion, not the specific example. Then ask yourself: does this principle apply to my context? If yes, test it in a small, low-risk way before going all in.
What experience informs this perspective?
This perspective comes from over a decade of building companies in Silicon Valley, two successful exits (RemoteTeam to Gusto, MovieLaLa to Gfycat), and investing in 200+ startups including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Scale AI. I write about what I've lived.
Do all experts agree with this view?
No, and that's fine. The best ideas in business are often contrarian. I share my perspective based on my experience and data, but I encourage you to seek out opposing viewpoints and form your own conclusions.