Galway Start-Up Forge Robotics Joins Y Combinator to Revolutionise Welding with AI
A Galway-based robotics start-up has secured a coveted place in the prestigious Y Combinator accelerator programme, along with $500,000 in pre-seed funding, as it prepares to launch an AI-powered system that could transform manufacturing by solving the global shortage of skilled welders.
Background
Forge Robotics was founded by Eoin Cobbe, aged 21, and Robert Cormican, aged 22, both from the west of Ireland. The company emerged from the PorterShed innovation hub in Galway, where it was one of ten companies selected for the inaugural AI Venture Forge Accelerator. Y Combinator, the San Francisco-based accelerator that has backed companies including Airbnb, Stripe, and Uber, is widely regarded as one of the most competitive and prestigious programmes in the global start-up ecosystem.
Key Developments
Forge Robotics has developed an AI-powered intelligence layer for industrial robots that allows machines to scan a part, interpret its geometry, and perform welds even when the setup is imperfect. The system is designed to eliminate the months of expensive engineering hours typically required to programme and maintain welding robots, making automation accessible to a far wider range of manufacturers.
Following their acceptance into Y Combinator, co-founders Cobbe and Cormican moved swiftly to San Francisco — Cobbe deferring his university degree and Cormican leaving his job. The company has already incorporated a US entity and begun interviewing engineers ahead of its planned first product launch in July 2026.
The company's long-term vision extends beyond welding to create a universal factory operating system that makes robots more intelligent and adaptive across all stages of production, including cutting, assembly, and inspection. Forge Robotics joins a growing list of Irish start-ups backed by Y Combinator, including Luminate Medical, Protex AI, and Solidroad.
Why It Matters
The global shortage of skilled welders is a significant and growing challenge for manufacturing industries worldwide. By enabling robots to perform complex welds without extensive manual programming, Forge Robotics could dramatically reduce production costs and timelines for factories of all sizes. Mary Rodgers, CEO of PorterShed, praised the company as an example of how Irish start-ups can compete globally and redefine manufacturing.
What's Next
The company is on track to launch its first product in July 2026, with initial focus on the Irish and UK markets before expanding internationally. Read the full Silicon Republic report here.
