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May 1, 2026

15 hardware startups to watch in 2026, according to VCs

From orbital transfer vehicles to chemical recycling, these are the hardware startups VCs are eyeing this year


Anne Sraders

8 min read

Adriana Vitagliano, principal at Firstminute. Courtesy of Vitagliano.

Not so long ago, VCs were busy chasing fast-growing, predictable software startups promising steady returns over capital-intensive hardware startups. 

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Hendrik Brandis, cofounder of Earlybird
Hendrik Brandis, cofounder of Earlybird. Courtesy of Earlybird
Xlfap Gfubmyhwzndif — Zhmpbus
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Diyj Utqxq — Asujpwtquve
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Jhpcw Avvbeyrs — Ksaxkjk
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A picture of Adriana Vitagliano, principal at Firstminute Capital
Adriana Vitagliano, principal at Firstminute Capital
Wsvsi Jwhyyuct — FO
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Cxiejg Kxasssbq Ptihoiceln (N0D) — QT
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Ybpyble — GM
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Eikvrvpcy — Zokkhpr
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Maximilian Ochs of First Momentum
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Khhwmtyc — Snehudn
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360 Capital team
360 Capital's Alessandro Zaccaria. Courtesy of 360 Capital.
Xdukry — Gbdoza
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Bhxspbgj — Wtbawf
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Ay3p — Yzhyp
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Gxgy Uboodwcera — Dabim
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Anne Sraders

Anne Sraders is a senior reporter at Sifted, based in Berlin. She covers the VC industry and deeptech startups. She also writes Sifted's weekly VC newsletter Up Round. Follow her on X and LinkedIn

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