Tom Galluzzo of IAM Robotics
An exclusive Tech Tribune Q&A with Tom Galluzzo (founder and CTO) of IAM Robotics, which was honored in our:
Tell us the origin story of IAM Robotics – what problem were you trying to solve and why?
We are helping to solve a critical labor shortage in the e-commerce and supply chain industries. We believe collaborative robots are the best way to add flexible automation that allows people to increase their productivity without sacrificing jobs.
What was the biggest hurdle you encountered in your journey?
Early access to capital in Pittsburgh was a challenge. We were able to get a small amount of seed funding, but once it came to getting more than a few million dollars, we had to search outside of the region.
What does the future hold for IAM Robotics?
Recently we’ve been able to add some pretty strong executives like Jay Link and Krishna Venkatasamy that bring long histories of supply chain knowledge. With their industry experience and our reputation for robotic innovation, we are developing the next generation of solutions for IAM Robotics.
What are your thoughts on the local tech startup scene in Pittsburgh?
It’s definitely improving. We’re seeing more and more startups with great ideas and talent. I think we’ll also have some amazing exits here soon, which will hopefully amplify access to capital as we continue to build our own ecosystem.
What’s your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Focus on broad market applications that are as simple as possible to create and scale. Listen diligently to early customer feedback and adjust quickly to meet their expectations.