R7 Partners

R7 is an early-stage venture capital firm specializing in the untapped potential of physical industries within the new industrial economy, headquartered in Chicago with a New York presence. It invests in physical AI and hard tech. Its portfolio spans robotics, energy, agriculture, ocean mapping, sensing, advanced displays and lab automation. Companies include AEye, Oculii, Bloom Energy, Amyris, Roam Robotics, Range Energy, Light Field Lab, Reshape Biotech, Bedrock and Inevitable. R7 backs technical founders at the early stage who tackle trillion-dollar industries and add intelligence, new materials or automation to physical bottlenecks. As a lean, operator-led team, it supports portfolio companies with technical expertise, industry connections and manufacturing relationships.