Building a hardtech company has never been easy, but the rules for raising capital are changing again. As physical AI, semiconductors, robotics and dual-use technologies attract growing attention, founders are navigating a funding landscape with higher technical risk, longer commercialization timelines and evolving investor expectations. This conversation brings together investors and founders to unpack what it really takes to raise early-stage capital today, what makes companies stand out, and where the biggest opportunities are emerging.

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