Union Labs

High-Level Overview

Union Labs is a deep-tech venture capital firm dedicated to backing pre-seed and seed-stage startups that tackle complex, real-world challenges through advanced technology. The firm’s mission centers on supporting visionary founders who are building solutions in robotics, artificial intelligence, IoT, smart infrastructure, and other frontier sectors. Union Labs’ investment philosophy emphasizes hands-on collaboration, operational support, and leveraging a robust network to help founders de-risk their path to product-market fit. By focusing on deep-tech, Union Labs plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of startups that are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, from factory automation to sustainable forestry and beyond.

Origin Story

Founded in 2018 by Nate Williams and Chris Kim—both serial entrepreneurs and alumni of August Home—Union Labs emerged from the Kleiner Perkins ecosystem with early backing from Google Ventures. This pedigree gave the firm a unique blend of operational expertise and access to top-tier networks from day one. The founders’ own experiences building hardware and software startups informed Union Labs’ approach: they recognized that deep-tech ventures face unique hurdles and require more than just capital. Over time, the firm has evolved into a hybrid investor-incubator, actively shaping and supporting the companies it backs, often working directly with founders to build and scale their businesses.

Core Differentiators

• Deep-Tech Focus: Union Labs specializes in highly technical, capital-intensive startups that require specialized expertise and long-term support.
• Hands-On Incubation: The firm incubates many of its portfolio companies, providing not just funding but also operational guidance, technical mentorship, and access to a network of corporate partners.
• Founder-Centric Approach: Union Labs works closely with founders from the earliest stages, helping them navigate the complexities of product development, market entry, and scaling.
• Network Strength: Backed by Kleiner Perkins and Google Ventures, Union Labs offers startups access to a powerful ecosystem of investors, operators, and industry leaders.
• Track Record: With investments in companies like Pico MES (factory operations software) and Urban Machine (forestry processing), Union Labs has demonstrated a knack for identifying and nurturing high-impact deep-tech ventures.

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Union Labs is riding the wave of a deep-tech renaissance, where advances in AI, robotics, and automation are unlocking new possibilities across industries. The timing is critical: as global challenges—from climate change to supply chain resilience—demand innovative solutions, deep-tech startups are stepping up. Union Labs is at the forefront of this movement, helping to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and commercial application. By supporting founders who are building the infrastructure of the future, Union Labs is not just funding companies; it’s shaping the trajectory of entire sectors, from manufacturing to energy and beyond.

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Union Labs is poised to remain a key player in the deep-tech ecosystem, as the demand for innovative, scalable solutions continues to grow. The firm’s unique blend of capital, operational support, and network access positions it to back the next wave of breakthrough startups. As deep-tech becomes increasingly central to solving global challenges, Union Labs’ influence is likely to expand, shaping not just the startups it invests in but the broader landscape of technology and innovation. In a world where the hardest problems require the most sophisticated solutions, Union Labs is proving that the right support can turn visionary ideas into reality.