The age of robotics is upon us. Robotics businesses have a seemingly endless number of customers, from consumers to products manufacturers and private businesses across a wide array of industries. There is a strong push for the automation of labor, product manufacturing, construction, and beyond. Robotics businesses stand to benefit quite handsomely from this society-wide shift toward automation.
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Start a robotics company by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Robotics Company
- Form your Robotics Company into a Legal Entity
- Register your Robotics Company for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Robotics Company
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Robotics Company
- Get Robotics Company Insurance
- Define your Robotics Company Brand
- Create your Robotics Company Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your robotics company. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Robotics Company Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a robotics company?
Launching a robotics business requires an office, a production center, computers, printers, high-speed Internet and raw materials like steel, aluminum, copper, bronze, brass, foamcore, PVC, and plexiglass. Though it is unnecessary to hire engineers if you are capable of creating robotics on your own, a team of talented robotics experts will prove essential to your business as time progresses.
What are the ongoing expenses for a robotics company?
Robotics companies require an array of computers, modeling software, printers, insurance, utilities, all sorts of parts and materials, personnel, an office space and a production center. It is also necessary to take business trips to meet with clients in need of robotics. Expect to spend at least a couple thousand dollars per year on travel expenses. Budget in a minimum of $5,000 per year for computers, software, and printers. Utilities will likely cost several hundred dollars per month. Raw materials and circuit boards are necessary to build your robotics. Though the cost of these materials hinges on the number of robotics you plan to produce, it is prudent to budget in at least several thousand dollars per month.
In terms of personnel, your engineers will command significant salaries. These professionals typically earn between $70,000 and $200,000 per year, depending on experience. Office receptionists and administrators will likely require a salary in the range of $25,000 to $35,000. Marketing and accounting professionals should be compensated with a yearly salary between $30,000 and $60,000. Plan on spending several thousand dollars per year for workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. Your office rent will likely run between $800 and $1,500 or more per month. The cost of your production center hinges on its size. This space will likely cost several thousand dollars per month to rent and maintain. Don’t forget to budget in a sizable chunk of money for ongoing research and development costs. Your engineering team needs a steady supply of money to fund new robotics ideas. Ideally, you will dedicate at least $2,000 to $5,000 per month to research and development efforts.
Who is the target market?
The preferred client is a large business that needs robotics to manufacture goods. Some robotics companies cater to the general consumer market. Create a robotics product with mass appeal and people across the world will fall within the scope of your “target persona”.
How does a robotics company make money?
Robotics companies make money by creating highly complex robotics and selling them to other companies and everyday people for industrial use, consumer use, and other purposes.
How much can you charge customers?
There is no concrete price for robotics. Most of these incredibly complex machines require tens of thousands of dollars in research and development spending. Secure business relationships with manufacturers and you will likely negotiate contracts in the range of several hundred thousand dollars all the way up to millions of dollars. If you develop robotics for consumer use, the price range will likely be somewhere between $20 and several hundred dollars. The price depends on the complexity of the device, its purpose and the cost of competing products.
How much profit can a robotics company make?
The sky’s the limit. Plenty of robotics companies have become publicly traded companies that generate billions of dollars in profits. The profitability of your robotics company hinges on the merit of your creations, your ability to establish inroads with those in need of robotics for production purposes as well as general consumers. Research and development costs often hamper robotics businesses until a successful machine or device is brought to market. It will likely take a year or two to generate a profit of six figures.
How can you make your business more profitable?
It is possible to make extra money by providing consulting services for clients and other robotics companies. Some robotics experts teach part-time at nearby colleges. If you over-estimate the number of parts necessary to construct robotics, it is possible to sell the excess to other robotics companies and manufacturers.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your robotics company is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your robotics company were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
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Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our How to Start a Business guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best Business Formation Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to start a robotics company. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Services Contract
In business where services are provided on an extended basis, a services contract is often put in place outlining terms and conditions of service.
Robotics companies should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. Such agreements clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership (who will ultimately own the robot and/or its components). Here is an example of eleven such service agreements.
Informed Consent Agreement
An informed consent agreement, also known as a liability waiver, may be needed in cases where a customer operates potentially dangerous equipment.
Labor Safety Requirements
It is important to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration. For more information, read this guide from osha.gov.
Certificate of Occupancy
A robotics company is generally run out of a warehouse. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
- If you plan to lease a physical location:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a robotics business.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
- If you plan to purchase or build a physical location:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for you business’ location to ensure your robotics company will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Robotics Company needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Robotics Company.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a robotics company
The typical robotics company does not run an extensive marketing campaign as most of its machinery, robotics, and electronics are sold to other businesses. However, robotics companies that create consumer goods conduct marketing campaigns. It is imperative that you establish your business as an authority in the field of robotics. Your website should be infallible. Regularly update your blog and social media accounts with insightful content regarding your company’s latest developments, happenings in the robotics industry and general information regarding progress in automation. Contribute guest blog content to other respected websites. All of your online inbound marketing endeavors should be optimized with keywords and key phrases for search engine optimization (SEO) so prospective business partners and clients can find your robotics company online with ease.
How to keep customers coming back
Establish business relationships with company owners and managers who can benefit from your robotics. Key in on developing a rapport with professionals who make purchasing decisions at manufacturing and consumer products companies of all varieties. Find out the strengths and weaknesses of the competition’s robotics and adjust accordingly. In the end, your robotics company will succeed if your robotics make clients’ production processes faster and/or cheaper.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
An individual who has a background in electrical engineering, product development, electronics, physics, and/or general engineering will stand a good chance of launching a successful robotics business.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a robotics company?
The typical robotics owner has a busy workday involving activities like performing research and development, engaging in client interactions, pricing parts, engineering new robotics, marketing the company’s creations, and staying abreast of developments within this highly dynamic industry.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful robotics company?
Most successful robotics companies are kick-started by well-educated individuals with a mechanical aptitude. These intellectual powerhouses understand the nuances of engineering, electrical engineering, and product development/design. It is also important to have a clear vision of how a prospective robotics machine/device will enhance functionality from the purchasing business or consumer’s vantage point. Key in on functionality and efficiency over aesthetics and your robotics company will stand a better chance of becoming successful.
What is the growth potential for a robotics company?
Robotics companies have the potential to grow quite quickly. All it takes is the development of an in-demand product for a robotics company to expand in a rapid manner. The key is to develop machinery, electronics or another robotics device that businesses or consumers demand. Such an offering can hasten the company’s growth, allow for extensive hiring, the development of new products, and the opening of new offices and production centers.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a robotics company?
The core of every robotics company is its team of engineers. Hire uber-talented individuals who are creative and well-versed in the intricacies of mechanical engineering, electronics, physics and product design. Always build robotics to serve a purpose. Key in on solving the problems of businesses and consumers and you will have no shortage of customers.
How and when to build a team
It is possible to create a robot, machine, or electronic device on your own, market it, and secure the business of clients. However, the support of a team will prove essential to the business’s growth across posterity. Begin by adding engineers. Salespeople will be necessary to market the creations of the engineering team. A receptionist is necessary to answer calls, welcome visitors, and prepare for meetings. The next step is to add a marketing guru along with an accountant and possibly an administrative assistant.
Useful Links
Industry Opportunities
- Robotic Industries Association
- IEEE Robotics and Automation Society
- International Federation of Robotics
Real World Examples
- Large industrial robotics manufacturer KUKA Robotics
- Ann Arbor-based robotic parts manufacturer Gudel
- International Federation of Robotics