2024’s Startup Battlefield runner-up geCKo Materials reveals four new products at TechCrunch Disrupt

geCKo Materials, the runner-up in the 2024 TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield, unveiled four new products that leverage its super-strong dry adhesive technology inspired by lizard feet. The new applications include a semiconductor wafer handling tool, a robotic gripper for smooth surfaces like solar panels and glass, a curved robotic end effector for irregular shapes, and a versatile gripper for robotic arms. This adhesive acts like a residue-free, reusable Velcro alternative that requires no electrical charge or suction, capable of holding 16 pounds per square inch and enduring up to 120,000 attachment cycles. Its adaptability to manufacturing and robotic applications has attracted major customers such as Ford, NASA, and Pacific Gas & Electric. Since last year’s Battlefield appearance, geCKo has tripled its team size, raised $8 million, and seen its adhesive used on six space missions, demonstrating its effectiveness in diverse environments including vacuum. Founder Dr. Capella Kerst highlighted the technology’s superior performance in semiconductor