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The robotics sector is witnessing a growing wave of startups founded by former NVIDIA researchers and engineers, as the emerging field of physical intelligence seeks to bring artificial intelligence capabilities into machines operating in real-world environments such as factories and warehouses.

NVIDIA continues to benefit from this trend even after some of its employees leave the company, as many startups founded by former researchers rely on its chips and software for AI training, simulation, and deployment.

From NVIDIA Labs to Independent Startups

According to a report published by Business Insider, several former NVIDIA researchers have launched companies focused on areas including simulation environments for robot training, software for deploying robots in warehouses, and systems designed to help businesses perform physical tasks.

NVIDIA has also invested in some of these startups and maintains technical relationships with them, including providing emerging teams with early access to tools used for testing and development.

Physical Intelligence Funding Surpasses $33 Billion

Global funding for physical intelligence companies exceeded $33.4 billion during the first half of 2026, compared with approximately $28.7 billion throughout 2025, according to PitchBook data cited in the report.

The figures highlight growing investor interest in practical robotics applications that can be deployed in factories, warehouses, and service industries rather than remaining limited to experimental demonstrations.

The departure of researchers from major technology companies is also helping fuel the sector's expansion. As more robotics startups emerge, demand could increase for NVIDIA's processors, simulation platforms, and computing infrastructure needed to develop and operate AI-powered machines.