Phase Shift Ventures Invests in Florida-based Healthcare Robotics Company Rovex Technologies

Investment expands Phase Shift Ventures' deep tech portfolio into physical AI and autonomous robotics for healthcare

ORLANDO, FL, UNITED STATES, October 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Phase Shift Ventures, an early-stage Orlando venture investment firm focused on deep technology, today announced an investment in Rovex Technologies, a Florida-based healthcare robotics company building physical AI for hospital operations.

Rovex is developing Rovi, an autonomous transport robot designed to move beds, stretchers, and equipment through existing hospital environments. Rovex models each facility with a digital twin before deployment. Rovi combines autonomous navigation, computer vision, and a proprietary attachment system to move existing hospital beds, stretchers and equipment through hallways, doors, and elevators without requiring modifications to those assets.

Rovex was cofounded by David Crabb, M.D., an emergency physician who experienced hospital transport operational challenges firsthand while practicing at nine hospitals and emergency departments across three states, and Benjamin Lok, Ph.D., a repeat healthcare technology entrepreneur who previously cofounded and exited Shadow Health.

“What attracted us to Rovex was the strength of the team, the technical differentiation of its approach, and the early validation of its technology in hospital environments,” said Dennis R. Pape, Ph.D., Founder and Managing Partner, Phase Shift Ventures. “Rovex is an engineering-intensive company applying autonomous robotics to a consequential real-world problem - exactly the kind of deep technology we look for at Phase Shift Ventures.”

“There's no shortage of AI companies building software. Far fewer are taking on the physical work that keeps a hospital running,” said Crabb. “Hospitals are being asked to do more with fewer people for the next decade, and the work that keeps a hospital moving has to scale with that. Dennis and I share the view that the biggest opportunities right now are in deep tech that operates in the real world. Phase Shift Ventures took the time to understand both our engineering and the realities of hospital operations, and we're glad to have them with us as we bring Rovi to more health systems.”

“Rovex also expands our deep tech portfolio into autonomous robotics and healthcare, alongside our investments in advanced manufacturing, defense technology, space infrastructure, and advanced energy technologies,” Pape added. “We are excited to support David, Benjamin, and the Rovex team as they work to bring autonomous robotic transportation to hospitals.”

About Phase Shift Ventures
Phase Shift Ventures is an early-stage venture investment firm based in Orlando, Florida, focused on pre-seed and seed-stage companies developing enabling technologies for critical industries. The firm invests primarily in Florida and the Southeast across sectors including aerospace and defense, space, autonomy and robotics, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, electronics and photonics, and cybersecurity.
To learn more, visit https://www.phaseshiftventures.com and follow Phase Shift Ventures on Linkedin. Media contact: info@phaseshiftventures.com, (407) 701-5577.

About Rovex Technologies
Rovex Technologies is a healthcare robotics company building physical AI for hospital operations. Its first product, Rovi, is an autonomous transport robot designed to move beds, stretchers, and equipment through existing hospital environments. Rovex models each facility with a digital twin before deployment. Founded in 2024 by emergency physician David Crabb, M.D., and repeat healthcare technology founder Benjamin Lok, Ph.D., Rovex is based in Gainesville, Florida.
To learn more, visit https://www.gorovex.com and follow Rovex on LinkedIn. Media contact: contact@gorovex.com, ‪(256) 467-6839‬.‬‬

Dennis R. Pape, Ph.D.
Phase Shift Ventures
+1 407-701-5577
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