Canvas’ Post

Twelve years ago, I left a dream role building robotic dogs at Boston Dynamics to create a new class of robots that could solve construction’s biggest problems. I didn’t know what to expect as a founder in such a specialized space - how to raise funding, build a prototype, or assemble a team that could bring the vision to life. After eight years leading Canvas, my perspective and priorities have changed drastically. Here are the three biggest things I would tell any new founder in robotics: 1. Quantify Customer Needs Early Everything revolves around understanding and quantifying what your customer needs early and fast. Customers often can’t do this for you. Listen closely, study their workflow, define measurable outcomes, and share those metrics back, including price. Even if you’re off at first, it sparks the right conversation and ensures you know what to build. 2. Build for Reliability Hardware cycles are long, and you only get a few builds - pivoting isn't easy. That makes prioritization critical. Reliability is a critical and often overlooked customer need. It generally requires months of focus beyond the initial design and build to get right. Make it part of your plan from day one. 3. Set a few Clear Goals, then Hyperfocus on Them Your team is most motivated when they have clear, focused goals. Focus creates alignment and momentum. The team’s work is rewarded when customers love what they build — and that’s only possible if they understand what success looks like. Most importantly: hardware is hard. Robots are hard. That’s the reality and the opportunity. Embrace it, roll with it, and you might build something that changes everything.