COMPANY INFO
Apptronik, Inc. is a robotics company founded in 2016 by Jeffrey Cardenas, Luis Sentis, Nicholas Paine, and Bill Helmsing. The company has around 150 employees and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. Its website is https://apptronik.com, and it operates primarily in the Other Hardware and Industrial Machinery & Equipment manufacturing industries. Apptronik develops general-purpose humanoid robots capable of performing tasks such as case picking, palletizing, and heavy lifting to address labor shortages and improve workplace efficiency. Their mission emphasizes the synergy between humans and robots to create a more advanced future where man and machine coexist harmoniously.
Apptronik, Inc. is a robotics company headquartered in Austin, Texas, specializing in the development of general-purpose humanoid robots designed to improve workplace efficiency and address labor shortages. The company leverages cutting-edge technology to create solutions that foster synergy between humans and machines, aiming to redefine the future of industrial automation.
Apptronik, Inc. boasts a dynamic and highly skilled leadership team shaped by deep expertise in robotics, manufacturing, and business strategy. Featuring accomplished professionals with backgrounds spanning technology commercialization, advanced mechanical engineering, and large-scale operations, the Apptronik, Inc. leadership exemplifies a commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and sustained growth. The executives collectively steer the company's ambitious roadmap, secure critical funding, and ensure Apptronik, Inc. remains a frontrunner in intelligent robotics solutions.
Jeff Cardenas, as CEO since January 2022, directs Apptronik, Inc.’s strategic vision and oversees all operational, financial, and product development initiatives, driving the rapid commercialization of cutting-edge humanoid robotics platforms such as Apollo. Jeff’s leadership has been crucial in increasing Apptronik, Inc.’s market impact and forging key partnerships that position the company at the forefront of the robotics sector.
Jeff co-founded Apptronik, Inc. in 2016, succeeding roles as VP of Strategy and Product Development and Chief Strategy Officer. His earlier career includes a tenure as Senior Consultant at Deloitte, and he holds both an MS in Technology Commercialization and a BBA from The University of Texas at Austin, bringing a rare blend of commercial acumen and technical insight to the Apptronik, Inc. management team.
Greg Steele assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer in April 2024, optimizing Apptronik, Inc.’s manufacturing, supply chain, and operational scaling processes to support production growth and enhance efficiency. Greg’s initiatives have streamlined time-to-market and operational workflows, fostering a scalable platform for the company’s expansion.
Greg brings extensive operations experience from previous roles as COO at Vicarious and VP of Operations & Chief of Staff at Bossa Nova Robotics. He holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from Oregon State University, underlining his expertise in process optimization and industrial management.
Nicholas Paine, appointed CTO in January 2022, oversees all R&D and technical strategy for actuators, control systems, and robotics software, pioneering technological advancements such as the UT-SEA series elastic actuator integration. Nick’s leadership in innovation has been pivotal in advancing Apptronik, Inc.’s capabilities in high-performance robotics.
Nicholas holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from UT Austin and served as both CEO and CTO at Apptronik, Inc. in previous years. Prior to joining the company full-time, he conducted postdoctoral research at UT Austin, specializing in robotics and control systems.
Kay Sheils Kingsbury has served as CFO since February 2022, where she drives financial strategy, oversees capital raising, and manages investor relations, supporting significant funding rounds totaling over $13.9 million. Kay established strong finance and legal frameworks critical for sustaining Apptronik, Inc.’s rapid growth.
With over two decades of experience in venture and private equity finance, Kay was formerly CFO at ICON3D and a strategic advisor at Springdale Ventures. She earned a BS in Economics from Duke University and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, bringing seasoned financial stewardship to the leadership team.
Barry Phillips, Chief Commercial Officer since January 2023, leads Apptronik, Inc.'s go-to-market strategy, sales, marketing, and strategic alliances. Barry has successfully positioned Apptronik, Inc.'s products within the industrial automation market, elevating partnerships and commercial traction.
Barry is a serial entrepreneur with prior go-to-market experience at Fetch Robotics and Citrix. He holds an MS in Computer Science from UCLA and a BS from the US Naval Academy, contributing technology-driven commercial leadership to the management team.
Steven Riddle has been VP of Engineering since January 2021, responsible for mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering, and leading the design of Apptronik, Inc.’s humanoid platforms with a focus on defense-grade reliability. Steven’s work ensures robust integration and rapid product development cycles.
He holds an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue and has served as Technical Project Lead at the Naval Surface Warfare Center and Director of Technology at Willowview Consulting, illustrating a track record in complex engineering leadership.
Shiva Duraiswamy, appointed VP of Engineering in May 2024, leads global engineering teams for robot powertrain, controls, software, and safety compliance, expediting delivery across the product roadmap. Shiva’s oversight contributes to accelerated and reliable innovation at Apptronik, Inc.
With over 22 years in automotive and industrial equipment engineering, Shiva holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management and an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue, bringing a wealth of technical and strategic experience to the leadership.
Norm Foust became VP, Operations in June 2024, spearheading efforts to streamline manufacturing and supply chain operations. Norm’s initiatives have led to a 40% reduction in PCBA costs and enhanced scalability toward $500M in annual production capacity.
Norm earned a BS in Industrial Engineering from Penn State and previously served as VP Operations at Vicarious, holding multiple leadership positions in telecommunications and optical manufacturing, further enhancing Apptronik, Inc.'s industrial execution strengths.
Michael Norrell has served as VP of Customer Service & Support since May 2024, building the company’s service delivery, technical support, and training systems to improve robot uptime and customer satisfaction. Michael’s leadership has been vital in raising customer service standards and support metrics.
He holds an MS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and has prior experience as VP Operations at Agility Robotics and Bossa Nova Robotics, with proven abilities in scaling service teams across high-growth tech sectors.
Brian Lange has been Director of Engineering – Systems & Validation since September 2024, where he leads system-level testing, integration, and real-world validation for Apptronik, Inc.'s humanoid platforms. Brian ensures these platforms meet the highest standards for reliability and field performance.
Brian holds a BSEE from Tri-State University and was previously VP Hardware Engineering at Agility Robotics, with prior chief engineer roles at Raytheon, bringing considerable expertise in advanced robotics engineering and validation.
The Apptronik, Inc. leadership team brings together founders with deep robotics expertise and seasoned executives spanning finance, commercialization, engineering, and operational excellence. This cohesive management team drives the company’s mission, promotes a forward-thinking culture, and positions Apptronik, Inc. at the forefront of robotics innovation and market growth. Their blend of technical depth and business experience fuels ongoing product breakthroughs as well as effective scaling in fast-evolving industrial markets.
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