Chief Executive Officer

++Motoniq – The Data Engine for Physical AI++

Company Overview

Motoniq is building the foundational data infrastructure for physical AI and humanoid robotics. The company provides a full-stack data collection system specifically designed for robots operating in the real world, differentiating itself from generic motion capture solutions. Motoniq’s business model encompasses dataset licensing, bespoke data collection campaigns, and platform subscriptions serving robotics manufacturers, component suppliers, and VLA/robotics software teams.

The Opportunity

Lead the company building the critical data layer for humanoid robots and physical AI systems. As CEO, you will establish the foundation for a business at the intersection of robotics hardware, AI infrastructure, and enterprise data services. This is a pre-seed stage opportunity requiring a builder’s mindset and capital discipline, with a seed round planned for H1 2026.

Location: Northern California (San Francisco Bay Area preferred) or willing to relocate by mid-2026

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute the vision for becoming the dominant data infrastructure provider for physical AI
• Establish product-market fit across dataset licensing, bespoke campaigns, and platform subscriptions
• Position Motoniq as the bridge between robot-ready training data and real-world robot performance
• Build foundation for venture-scale growth while operating with bootstrap discipline

Customer Development & Early Revenue

• Secure founding customers among humanoid manufacturers (Figure, Unitree, 1X, Apptronik, Tesla)
• Develop partnerships with VLA/robotics software teams (Google, Nvidia, OpenAI) and component suppliers
• Validate pricing models and generate early revenue through bespoke campaigns
• Build proof points demonstrating clear ROI across customer segments

Product & Technology

• Guide development of purpose-built hardware and full-stack data pipeline with capital efficiency
• Ensure delivery of high-fidelity, time-synchronized, quality-validated data from day one
• Make strategic build vs. buy decisions to maximize runway and time-to-market
• Prioritize features creating maximum customer value with limited resources

Operations & Execution

• Build lean operations delivering both real-time teleoperation and offline recording
• Develop cost-efficient data collection processes while maintaining quality
• Implement rigorous financial management and runway extension strategies
• Create scalable systems and processes from the ground floor

Team & Culture

• Recruit exceptional early team members who thrive in pre-seed, high-ownership environments
• Build culture of resourcefulness, technical excellence, and customer obsession
• Attract talent through equity, mission, and opportunity to build from zero-to-one
• Potentially serve as both CEO and hands-on contributor in early stage

Fundraising

• Prepare for and execute $3-5M seed round in Q2 2026
• Build relationships with robotics-focused VCs and AI infrastructure investors in the Bay Area
• Articulate defensibility of purpose-built approach and path to scalable revenue
• Extend bootstrap runway through revenue and strategic partnerships

Required Qualifications:

Essential Experience

• 7 years in deep tech, robotics, AI infrastructure, or related fields
• Track record as early employee, founder, or operator at successful startup (pre-seed through Series B)
• Experience building technical products with limited resources and tight timelines
• Comfort selling to technical buyers and early adopters in enterprise contexts

Technical Understanding

• Deep appreciation for robotics challenges, particularly humanoid/dexterous manipulation
• Understanding of computer vision, sensor fusion, and data collection methodologies
• Familiarity with ML training data requirements and quality validation
• Ability to make technical decisions and evaluate engineering trade-offs

Entrepreneurial Mindset

• Proven ability to operate effectively with constrained resources
• Experience prioritizing ruthlessly and making high-leverage decisions
• Comfort with ambiguity and rapid iteration based on customer feedback
• Willingness to do whatever it takes in early-stage environment

Leadership Qualities

• Builder mentality with hands-on execution capability
• Ability to inspire customers, team members, and investors with limited proof points
• Strong communication skills with technical and non-technical audiences
• Resilience and high tolerance for uncertainty
• Connections to or ability to build relationships in Bay Area robotics/AI ecosystem

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous founder or founding team member experience
• Direct experience in robotics companies as operator or close partner
• Background in computer vision, motion capture, or related sensor technologies
• Existing relationships in Northern California robotics, AI, or humanoid ecosystem
• Experience with technical services businesses or data marketplace models
• Track record of successful fundraising from top-tier VCs
• Advanced degree in robotics, computer science, or engineering

Success Metrics (First 18-24 Months):

Traction & Validation

• Secure 2-3 paying design partners demonstrating clear value proposition
• Generate $250K-$500K in early revenue through bespoke campaigns or pilots
• Build compelling proof points and case studies

Product & Operations

• Ship functional MVP of purpose-built hardware and data pipeline
• Establish repeatable data collection process with quality validation
• Build core team of 3-8 exceptional early employees

Fundraising & Positioning

• Successfully close $3-5M seed round in Q2 2026
• Establish Motoniq as known entity in Bay Area robotics/AI community
• Articulate clear path from current state to market leadership

Why This Role Matters:

Build from the ground up the company creating foundational infrastructure for physical AI—the data layer that enables humanoid robots to operate in the real world. While Scale AI built the data engine for virtual AI, you will build it for physical AI. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create essential infrastructure at the dawn of the robotics age.

What We’re Looking For:

Someone energized by early-stage building, comfortable with resource constraints, and eager to be in Northern California’s robotics hub. You should:

• Thrive in pre-seed chaos and see constraints as creative opportunities
• Sell the vision while shipping tangible customer value
• Want to be embedded in the Bay Area’s robotics and AI ecosystem
• Be comfortable wearing multiple hats and doing hands-on work
• Have strategic vision to build a category-defining company with tactical discipline to survive the early days

Compensation

Founder-level equity package reflecting pre-seed stage, with meaningful ownership in a potentially category-defining company. Modest cash compensation initially, scaling with fundraising and revenue milestones.

Location: Northern California (Bay Area strongly preferred) or willing to relocate by mid-2026

Why Bay Area: Proximity to key customers, investors, talent, and the robotics/AI ecosystem