Bison Ventures Closes $160M Fund II to Back Physical AI Startups
Bison Ventures closed a $160M second fund to back early-stage physical AI, robotics, and advanced computing startups.
The big picture: Bison Ventures has closed its second venture capital fund at $160 million, expanding its capacity to support early-stage technology companies developing artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced computing, and other technologies designed to transform physical industries.
What it will back:
- Investment Stage: The fund will continue to invest in deeply technical startups from pre-seed through Series B.
- Sector Focus: Bison targets “Real World Intelligence,” applying AI and advanced technologies to manufacturing, energy, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure.
- Technology Focus: Investments will include autonomous machines, semiconductor architectures, biological research platforms, and energy infrastructure.
Who is behind it:
Bison Ventures was founded in 2021 by Tom Biegala and Ben Hemani, both serving as founding partners. The new fund follows the firm’s $135 million debut vehicle. The investment team combines venture capital experience with engineering backgrounds spanning robotics, semiconductor manufacturing, energy, biology, materials science, and infrastructure. No limited partners were named in the announcement.
The catch: With $160 million in new commitments, Bison Ventures aims to identify and support companies commercializing advances in hardware, automation, and scientific computing. The firm’s strategy of backing technically differentiated companies before their markets are established positions it in a competitive landscape where venture firms vie for opportunities arising from AI’s expansion into industrial and physical applications.
Key Facts
- Firm: Bison Ventures
- Fund: Fund II
- Size: $160M
- Status: Final close
- Stage: pre-seed to Series B
- Focus: physical AI, robotics, advanced computing, industrial tech
- Partners: Tom Biegala, Ben Hemani
- Previous fund: $135M for debut vehicle