ATOMS VC Hardtech Fund Grant

About this grant

ATOMS is a hardtech venture capital firm that invests in engineering and scientific breakthroughs that improve the human condition. The firm focuses on companies working at the intersection of physical technologies (atoms) and intelligent systems (bits), addressing fundamental challenges in healthcare, energy, materials, infrastructure, and computing. ATOMS backs founders commercializing innovations that require hardware breakthroughs beyond software alone, with emphasis on defensible intellectual property and technologies that solve global needs. The firm invests across multiple stages with primary focus on companies at or near commercialization, evaluating each opportunity independently on risk, return potential, commercialization path, and capital requirements rather than standardized round labels.

Eligibility

The firm invests in physical technology companies (hardtech) with engineering and science-driven innovation backed by intellectual property. Companies must be in healthcare (medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics), sustainability (energy systems, advanced materials, water, agriculture), or automation (robotics, electronics, semiconductors, advanced computing) sectors. ATOMS invests anywhere in the United States with particular interest in the Midwest and undercapitalized regions with strong talent but limited capital. The firm places less emphasis on company stage classification and looks at early and early-growth outcome potential. There are no specific restrictions on prior funding or recipient status mentioned.

How it's scored

ATOMS evaluates companies independently based on risk assessment, return potential, commercialization-monetization pathway, and capital requirements rather than standardized industry stage labels. The firm considers whether companies combine physical innovation with data, AI, and software capabilities; generate proprietary data through hardware; and build durable, defensible systems. Geographic diversity and innovation location outside traditional Silicon Valley tech hubs are valued.

Key requirements

• ✓Physical technology company combining hardware innovation with data, AI, or software
• ✓Focus on healthcare (medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics), sustainability (energy, advanced materials, water, agriculture), or automation (robotics, electronics, semiconductors)
• ✓At or near commercialization stage preferred; early and early-growth stage also considered

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for ATOMS VC Hardtech Fund?

Eligibility covers organisations in US; startup, sme. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Low-carbon materials funding covers cement, concrete, steel, chemicals, timber and novel building materials with lower embodied carbon. It ranges from research grants to demonstration plants and public procurement that specifies lower-carbon products. Calls often ask for lifecycle assessment, product testing against standards and interest from buyers in construction or manufacturing.