Amazon launches $1 billion industrial innovation fund

Amazon is investing $1 billion into the industrial sector to “spur supply chain, fulfillment, and logistics innovation and further improve the customer and employee experience”.

The $1 billion venture investment program is called the Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund (AIIF).

As customers increasingly shop online and look for even faster delivery, Amazon says it is continuing to invent new ways to raise the bar on customer and employee experience while working with other companies focused on those fields.

Amazon has invested and innovated substantially over the last two decades in next-generation technology in its operations.

This new fund is one of the ways Amazon continues to invest, along with many other initiatives, such as the MARS and re:MARS conferences that Amazon hosts every year.

The conferences bring together innovative minds in machine learning, automation, robotics, and space to share new ideas across these rapidly advancing domains.

Alex Ceballos Encarnacion, Amazon’s vice president of worldwide corporate development, says: “We see an opportunity to look beyond our own experience and empower companies that are developing emerging technologies in customer fulfillment operations, logistics, and the supply chain.

“We know there are companies out there that share our curiosity and excitement to invent.

“Whether our investment helps them grow or leads them to work with Amazon, or both, we’re excited to help advance these technologies as online shopping becomes even more important to people who are looking for more convenience and time savings.”

The Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund will invest in companies that imagine solutions that incrementally increase delivery speed and further improve the experience of employees working in warehousing and logistics fields.

Ceballos says: “These industries are inherently complex.

“With our scale, Amazon is committed to investing in companies that will ignite innovation in emerging technologies that can help improve employee experiences and safety while seamlessly coexisting with workforces across the supply chain, logistics, and other industries.”

An image of three rockets launched outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. They have logos on them including the Amazon logo, the Blue Origin logo, the ULA logo, and the Arianspace logo.

Amazon has a history of investing in technologies within its operations that support employees and customers, like artificial intelligence, robotics, and other cutting-edge inventions.

Some past improvements include robotic arms that perform repetitive tasks and new products in autonomous movement that can help transport larger items.

Bob O’Donnell, founder and chief analyst of TECHnalysis Research, says: “Investing in companies that are driving the next generation of industrial innovation can have impact across communities—globally, regionally, and locally.

“It’s great to see Amazon make these investments in companies in the US and around the world, as historically, ongoing investment in innovation has shown to have a positive economic impact.”

Ceballos said that’s the goal. “Even as we have continually improved our operations to better the employee experience and enhanced safety through the development of new workstations with better ergonomics, we hope this fund opens the door for more collaboration,” he says.

The Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund’s first round of investments is focused on wearable technology that enhances safety in fulfillment buildings and robotics designed to complement and coexist with people’s lives. Below are details about those innovations and the companies behind them:

• Modjoul: Founded in 2016 and based in Greenville, South Carolina, Modjoul is developing wearable safety technology that enables real-time, personalized alerts and recommendations aimed at reducing injuries, most notably musculoskeletal issues.
• Vimaan: Founded in 2017 and based in Santa Clara, California, Vimaan is developing computer vision and artificial intelligence solutions engineered to improve inventory management.
• Agility Robotics: Founded in 2015 and based in Corvallis, Oregon, Agility Robotics is developing a bi-pedal walking robot, Digit, that addresses the mobility limitations of traditional robots so that machines can assist people wherever they are.
• BionicHIVE: Founded in 2014 and based in Israel, BionicHIVE is developing an autonomous robotic solution that can adapt to existing shelving racks and boxes in warehouses and is capable of floor to ceiling functionality.
• Mantis Robotics: Founded in 2020 and based in San Francisco, Mantis Robotics is developing a tactile robotic arm that uses sensor technology to cohesively work alongside people.

FAQs about the Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund

What are the goals of the fund? Are you taking applications?

The AIIF will focus on companies of all stages, from early stage startups to more established companies that are developing innovative technologies to help advance and improve key areas in fulfillment operations, logistics, and supply chain management, such as safety.

These could include companies working in the areas of robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, and other emerging technologies.

We are interested in speaking to companies meeting these criteria, and more information can be found on industrialinnovationfund.com, including how to reach the investment team.

How much are you investing in each company? Will the investment be similar for future recipients?

We are launching with a target of investing $1 billion in companies. The investment size will vary based on the opportunity and stage of growth.

How many companies do you expect to invest in?

The AIIF will focus on companies of all stages, from early stage startups to more established companies that are working on innovative solutions to help advance and improve fulfillment operations, logistics, and supply chain management.

These could include companies working in the areas of robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, and other emerging technologies.

We are not targeting a specific number of companies; instead, we want to support high-quality companies that are addressing these challenging spaces.

What types of technology will you focus on?

While we have a wide view of innovation, our investments will focus on the areas of fulfillment operations, logistics, and supply chain management.

These could include companies working in the areas of robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, and other emerging technologies.

Where will you invest?

We will invest where the most interesting and innovative technologies exist. This is a global effort and is focused on companies innovating in fulfillment operations, logistics, and supply chain solutions, which could eventually improve our operations, while also enhancing our employee and customer experience.

Which technologies from your initial investment announcement are you already using?
The purpose of the AIIF is to help spur further innovation and scale the technologies each company is developing for the benefit of a range of industries and companies.