Carbon Robotics
Facts
- HQ
- Seattle
- Sectors
- Automation Machinery Manufacturing
- Founded
- 2018
- Employees
- 306
- Founders
- Paul Mikesell
Temporal rises to No. 1 on GeekWire 200 after $550M raise at $12.55B valuation as AI and hardware firms climb
Temporal is now the No. 1 company on the GeekWire 200 after a $550 million raise valuing it at $12.55 billion and surpassing $250 million in annualized revenue; the Fall 2026 ranking highlights growth in AI software and advanced machinery for space, energy and defense across the Pacific Northwest.
Carbon Robotics launches 'Carbon Autonomy Ready' on Sept 1, 2026; Great Plains Manufacturing first partner
Seattle-based Carbon Robotics launched 'Carbon Autonomy Ready' on September 1, 2026, a program letting third-party implement makers connect their equipment to its autonomous tractor platform, with Great Plains Manufacturing as the first partner.
Why Physical AI Is Farming's Next Frontier with Carbon Robotics CEO Paul Mikesell
In this episode of Shift AI, Paul Mikesell, CEO of Carbon Robotics, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy for a wide-ranging conversation on how AI, lasers, and autonomy are replacing chemical weed control on farms. Carbon Robotics built a foundation model out of 150 million plant images, and Paul explains what happens when you show it a weed it has never encountered before. There's no retraining involved, and the result is something closer to a machine that understands what a plant is rather than one that's just memorized a dataset. What that actually looks like in the field, and why it took…
Nominal opens permanent Seattle office, led by Stephen Slattery, after $80M raise at $1B valuation
Los Angeles-based industrial-software startup Nominal is opening a permanent Seattle office, led by Stephen Slattery, and plans to more than double its local team after raising $80 million at a $1 billion valuation. The company, which serves defense, energy, robotics and automotive customers, cited Seattle's engineering and aerospace talent as key reasons for the expansion.
Starcloud Becomes Fastest Y Combinator Unicorn at $1.1B as Fusion Leader Helion Tops GeekWire 200 with $15.5B Valuation
The latest GeekWire 200 highlights a shift in the Pacific Northwest startup scene toward physical products like rockets, fusion reactors, and space-based data centers, with Starcloud becoming the fastest Y Combinator unicorn valued at $1.1 billion. Helion maintains the top spot with a $15.5 billion valuation, while notable companies like Stoke Space, Overland AI, and new unicorn XBOW also make significant moves.
2026 GeekWire Awards Celebrate Seattle Tech Scene with Over 300 Attendees and Winners Including Carbon Robotics, HouseWhisper AI, and Omeros
The 2026 GeekWire Awards celebrated Seattle's vibrant tech community with over 300 attendees honoring top startups, founders, and leaders across multiple categories at Showbox SoDo. The event highlighted Seattle as a hub for innovation with winners like Carbon Robotics, HouseWhisper AI, and Omeros recognized for their contributions.
GeekWire Names Helion, OCOChem, TerraPower, Ravel, and IUNU as 2026 Sustainable Innovation Award Finalists
The finalists for GeekWire's 2026 Sustainable Innovation Award are energy companies Helion, OCOChem, TerraPower; fashion recycler Ravel; and agtech startup IUNU, recognized for their work combating climate change and sustainability challenges. The award, sponsored by Amazon, highlights Pacific Northwest leaders and culminates in a May 7 celebration in Seattle, with public voting open until April 16.
Allen Institute for AI, Carbon Robotics, DAT Freight & Analytics, Humanly, and Yoodli Named 2026 GeekWire Workplace of the Year Finalists
The 2026 GeekWire Awards Workplace of the Year finalists include Allen Institute for AI, Carbon Robotics, DAT Freight & Analytics, Humanly, and Yoodli, recognized for building exceptional workplace cultures based on core values like trust and openness. The award ceremony occurs on May 7 in Seattle, with public voting open through April 16.
Carbon Robotics Raises $20 Million Led by Giant Ventures to Develop New AI Agricultural Robot
Carbon Robotics, led by founder Paul Mikesell, recently secured $20 million in a D-2 extension round to fund the development of a new AI-driven agricultural robot distinct from their LaserWeeder. Mikesell discussed the potential and challenges of applying automation and robotics to specialty crop harvesting and advised agtech startups on navigating current investment climates.
4AG Robotics Appoints Don Listwin to Board to Scale Global Mushroom-Harvesting Robot Commercialization
4AG Robotics, a leader in automated mushroom harvesting, appointed seasoned technology operator and philanthropist Don Listwin to its Board of Directors to help scale its pioneering commercial mushroom-harvesting robots.
Seattle’s Agtech Startups Like Carbon Robotics Garner $157M to Drive Sustainable Farming Amid Industry Growth
Seattle and the Pacific Northwest are becoming a major hub for agriculture technology, driven by local tech talent, innovative farming, and advances in robotics and AI. Despite a dip in agtech investments from 2021 to 2022, startups like Seattle-based Carbon Robotics are raising significant funding and developing sustainable farming technologies.
GeekWire 200 Q2 2025 Lists Top 10 Fast-Growing Pacific Northwest Startups in AI, Robotics, Energy, and More
The GeekWire 200 ranking highlights the fastest-growing private tech startups in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing innovators in AI, robotics, energy, and more for Q2 2025. This quarterly list, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase, tracks regional tech development and emerging companies.
GeekWire Revamps 200 Seattle-Area Startup Ranking with AI for Q2 2025
The GeekWire 200 ranking of Seattle-area startups has been revamped for Q2 2025 using AI tools to better highlight fast-growing companies and emerging leaders. Presented by JPMorganChase, the updated ranking combines data and editorial insight to provide a comprehensive view of the Pacific Northwest tech startup ecosystem.
GeekWire Awards 2025 Sustainable Innovation Finalists Include Carbon Robotics and CarbonQuest for Advanced Environmental Technologies
The 2025 GeekWire Awards Sustainable Innovation finalists include Carbon Robotics, CarbonQuest, Helion, Modern Hydrogen, and Tidal Vision, companies developing technologies from AI-powered laser weeders to carbon capture and clean energy solutions. These innovations aim to protect the planet by transforming energy production, eliminating weeds sustainably, and capturing carbon emissions.
GeekWire 200 Q1 2025: Highspot Leads as Helion Rises to No. 2 After $425M Funding; Truveta, Statsig, Protect AI Also Advance
The GeekWire 200 Q1 2025 update highlights rapidly growing Pacific Northwest tech startups, with Highspot retaining No. 1 and Helion rising to No. 2 after a $425 million funding round. Other notable movers include Truveta, Statsig, Protect AI, Carbon Robotics, and Stoke Space, reflecting dynamic shifts in the regional tech landscape.
Local venture firms for local founders with James Newell, Voyager Capital
Empowering Pacific Northwest Startups: Insights from Voyager Capital's James Newell In this episode of Sound Investments, host Ed Barker interviews James Newell, Managing Director at Voyager Capital. They discuss the unique investment landscape of the Pacific Northwest, Voyager Capital's focus on early-stage local companies, and the strengths and challenges of the Seattle startup ecosystem. James shares his journey from M&A banking to venture capital, his thoughts on the role of major tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft in shaping the local talent pool, and how Voyager supports founders in bringing their products to market. They also delve into the impact…
Carbon Robotics Unveils LaserWeeder G2, an AI-Powered Laser Weed-Control Robot with Enhanced Speed, Modularity, and Manufacturing in Washington
Carbon Robotics launched the LaserWeeder G2, an AI-powered, faster, lighter, and more modular robot for weed control designed for various farm sizes and crops. The new model uses advanced AI, computer vision, and lasers to precisely eliminate weeds, with production at their new Eastern Washington facility.
Pacific Northwest Tech Startups Raise $762M in Q4 2024 with Zap Energy and Auger Leading Funding Rounds
Venture capital funding for Pacific Northwest startups rose over 20% year-over-year in Q4 2024, totaling $762 million across 48 deals, driven by major rounds from Zap Energy and Auger. Despite being well below 2021 peaks, the region shows positive momentum amid a cautious but moderately optimistic U.S. VC market influenced by AI investment growth.
Highspot Takes No. 1 Spot on GeekWire 200 Startup Ranking After Outreach’s Layoffs and CEO Departure
Seattle-based sales enablement company Highspot has claimed the No. 1 spot on GeekWire's 200 ranking of privately held startups in the Pacific Northwest, replacing Outreach which recently downsized and saw its CEO step down. The GeekWire 200 ranking reflects changes in the dynamic startup landscape based on factors like funding, employee growth, and layoffs.
Seattle Rises to Third in U.S. SaaS Startup Funding Rankings, Fifth in Overall Capital Raised
Seattle ranked third in SaaS startup funding based on Carta data for the first time, highlighting its growing strength in software innovation driven by major companies and AI talent. The city's overall funding position improved to fifth place nationally, signaling increased investment across tech sectors.
GeekWire 200 Updates Top Pacific Northwest Tech Startups Featuring Chainguard's $140M Raise and $1.1B Valuation
The GeekWire 200 ranking updates the top privately held tech startups in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, highlighting companies like Chainguard that raised $140 million and reached a $1.1 billion valuation. The list spans various industries and regions including Oregon and British Columbia, emphasizing the area's strong B2B enterprise software and consumer tech sectors.
Aigen Raises $12 Million to Scale Solar-Powered Farm Robots and Expand U.S. Presence in 2024
Seattle-area agtech startup Aigen raised $12 million led by ReGen Ventures to scale production of its solar-powered weed-destroying farm robots and expand across U.S. farms. The company plans to build 70 robots in a new Redmond facility and open a hub in Fargo, N.D., while leveraging AI to improve weed identification and data services.
Fuse closes $250M second fund to back 30–35 Pacific Northwest software and AI startups
Seattle-area VC firm Fuse has closed a $250 million second fund to invest in 30–35 Pacific Northwest software and AI-enabled startups, writing $1M–$10M checks and co-leading rounds. Backers include state-affiliated accounts, foundations, universities and prominent Seattle software executives, and Fuse aims to back companies that automate business processes or augment workers.
Seattle’s Aigen Unveils Solar-Powered Autonomous Weed-Zapping Robot Amid Data Challenges for Ag-Tech AI
Aigen, a Seattle startup led by Kenny Lee and Rich Wurden, has developed a solar-powered, self-driving robot for weed control and crop monitoring, aiming to be one of the first fully autonomous renewable-powered farming machines. Despite growth in ag-tech AI startups, challenges remain, particularly in acquiring sufficient ground truth data to train AI models effectively.
UW Professor Byron Boots Launches Overland AI to Develop Off-Road Autonomous Vehicles for Complex Terrain
University of Washington professor Byron Boots leads Overland AI, a Seattle startup developing off-road autonomous vehicle technology to improve safety and address labor shortages in challenging terrains. The company, co-founded by UW RACER team members and registered in January 2023, has raised undisclosed funding and maintains close ties to DARPA's RACER program.
People
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Paul Mikesell Founder, CEO and Founder, Founder / CEO
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John Connors Board Member
