S1E2 – Charlie Duncheon

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One of the “original gangsters” of the robotics startup space, Charlie Duncheon has done it all, from pioneering robotics technology and hobnobbing with Steve Jobs at Adept in the ‘80s to launching Grabit, a leader in material handling automation. Now he’s CEO and co-founder of a drug discovery automation and robotic solutions provider. As an engineering/sales hybrid, Charlie uses his technical expertise to create and grow businesses from scratch with next-gen technology. His secret sauce? Keep things simple with existing technology, identify a market, and tailor that technology for that market.

In this episode of Crazy Hard Robots, Tom chats with Charlie Duncheon, CEO and co-founder of Celltrio.

Tune in as Tom and Charlie discuss
  • Charlie’s early beginnings in sales for the AdeptOne direct-drive robot
  • How Covid-19 made robotic automation in life sciences a necessity
  • Celltrio’s commitment to using robotics to help scientists be more effective
  • How Celltrio takes ready-to-go tech and applies it to life sciences.
  • Why you need an experienced advisory board for a new robotics company
  • Vertical and horizontal plays to secure venture capital for robotics
  • A robotics sale that almost didn’t happen with Steve Jobs
  • Charlie’s favorite past and present robotics companies
About Charlie Duncheon
Charlie Duncheon has spent over thirty years in the robotics and factory automation industry. He joined Adept Technology at its inception and rose to become chief commercial officer, where he led Adept to a successful IPO.

With a successful consulting background behind him, Duncheon went on to become CEO of Artificial Muscle, Inc. and founder of Grabit, Inc. He currently serves on the Silicon Valley Robotics Board and as a robotics and IoT mentor at Plug and Play. He was also elected as president and board chairman of the Robotics Industries of America (RIA) and received RIA’s distinguished Joseph Engelberger Leadership Award.

Duncheon holds a B.S. in industrial engineering from Purdue University and an M.S. in business administration from Southern Illinois University. He is a registered professional engineer.

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