Cendek Highlights the Convergence of AI and the Physical Economy.
After RC, Burak Cendek studied electrical engineering at Caltech where he gained exposure to robotics, and later earned an MBA from Chicago Booth. His career has always focused on the intersection of technology and industry, exploring how complex, traditional sectors adopt new tools. This trajectory led him to the venture capital firm Autotech Ventures, a Menlo Park–based VC firm managing ~$600M. In his new role, Cendek leads the investments in early-stage companies across industrials and transportation.
Cendek states these sectors deserve focused investment because they underpin the physical economy: “The movement of people and goods relies on large-scale systems that remain inefficient, fragmented, and slow to change, creating sustained opportunity for new technology. Some of the most exciting developments today are agentic AI and the rise of physical AI, including robotics and automation that operate directly in the physical world.”
For RC alumni and students interested in the intersection of technology and ground mobility, Cendek’s advice is simple: “Build! It has never been easier to start. Identify a real pain point, begin working on it, and iterate quickly. Building is the fastest way to understand both technology and markets.”
