JL

Josh Lessing

Managing Partner at Shockwave Ventures

United States

Overview 

Josh Lessing is a successful entrepreneur and inventor known for converting early-stage concepts into leading technologies. Currently serving as the CEO & Co-Founder of Root AI, which was later acquired by AppHarvest, he has also held key roles at companies like Soft Robotics Inc. and AppHarvest, showcasing his expertise in business development and product development within the robotics and agriculture sectors.

Work Experience 

  • Managing Partner

    2024 - Current

    Investments: - Lumafield - Impilo Health - Tetsuwan Scientific - Empallo

  • Member

    2022

  • Venture Partner

    2022 - 2024

  • Capital Strategy Advisor

    2023 - 2023

Vibe Bio is a community of patients, scientists, and partners committed to identifying, funding, and developing promising treatments.

Raised $12,000,000.00 from Naval Ravikant, Initialized Capital, Lerer Hippeau, Yvonne Hao, Andy Palmer, Arkitekt Ventures, Enke Bashllari, Andrea (Andy) Coravos, 6th Man Ventures and Undeterred Capital.

  • CTO

    2021 - 2022

AppHarvest is a sustainability company that operates and develops robust, climate-resilient indoor farms.

Raised $792,300,961.00 from Sunset and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

  • CEO & Co-Founder (acquired by AppHarvest)

    2018 - 2021

Root AI is a research company aiming to create intelligent robots that will help growers build the farms of the future.

Raised $10,459,891.00 from The Syndicate.com, LAUNCH, First Round Capital, Schematic Ventures, AgFunder, WestWave Capital, PJC and Outsiders Fund.

  • Director of Research & Development

    2013 - 2018

  • Postdoctoral Fellow | Materials Science & Robotics

    2012 - 2014

  • Doctoral Research Assistant | Biophysics & Infrared Spectroscopy

    2005 - 2012

  • Postbaccalaureate Research Associate | X-Ray Spectroscopy & Condensed Matter Physics

    2004 - 2005

Articles About Josh

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