Thanks to AI, the robotics industry is getting a makeover, and VCs are clamoring for the area’s industry startups that are construction robots that autonomously carry out responsibilities for their human counterparts.
If 2023 is the year of generative AI and 2024 is the year of LLMS, VCs expect 2025 to be the year of AI agents: teams with AI that can take on responsibilities for humans, such as software development, visitor support, and drafting legal documents.
AI agents are now coming to robots, thanks to a new generation called spatial intelligence that allows robots to navigate their environment more efficiently, data from procedures and react in real time, all without the desire for a robot to painstakingly calibrate each and every move.
“As advances in AI allow robots to move from structured, repetitive responsibilities to more complex and dynamic real-world applications, we will see advances in robot perception, manipulation, and decision-making capabilities,” IVP Insider Business Insider recently told Business Insider.
Today, startups are emerging AI robots that can autonomously organize a warehouse, unload a delivery truck, or lend a hand with a surgical procedure.
Business Insider analyzed Pitchbook’s knowledge to identify U. S. -based AI robotics startups. U. S. Which closed the investment rounds in 2024 and raised between $75 million and $150 million in VC overall. The 11 new companies are ranked from the top of the lowest grossed.
What it is: The Corporate BOT builds robots that deal with familiar tasks and waste humans’ time.
Founded: 2024
Total Funding: $150 million, to Pitchbook
Notable deal: Bot Corporate introduced in 2024 and announced a $150 million seed from Quiet Capital, Nat Friedman, Spark Capital, Maven Ventures, Factorial Fund, Soma Capital, and Daniel Gross.
What it is: Collaborative robotics, also known as Cobot, paints for human-robot interaction through the creation of reliable and safe robots that can paint along people.
Founded: 2022
Total Funding: $140 million, to Pitchbook
Notable Deal: General Catalyst led Cobot’s Series B investment in April 2024. Bison Ventures, Industry Ventures, Lux Capital, Sequoia Capital, Khosla Ventures and Mayo Clinic also participated.
What it is: Botrista Robots Specialty drinks such as teas, iced coffees, and lemonades.
Founded: 2017
Total funding: $119 million, for the company
Notable deal: Botrista’s $65 million Series C announced in July 2024, with Jollibee Foods leading the round.
What it is: Real-time robotics is the software that makes existing production robotics autonomous.
Founded: 2015
Total Funding: $107 million, to Pitchbook
Notable Deal: In May 2024, Realtlet Robotics announced a $45 million Series B investment directed through Mitsubishi Electric.
What it is: Simbe are robots that paint in retail stores.
Founded: 2014
Total funding: $105 million, for the company
Notable deal: Simber, in October 2024, closed a Series C equity financing targeted through expansion shares in Goldman Sachs alternatives. Eclipse and Valo Ventures also participated in Thearray
What it is: Pickle Robot are the construction robots that can package trucks.
Founded: 2018
Total Funding: $97 million, to Pitchbook
Notable deal: Teradyne Robotics Ventures, Toyota Ventures, third-party Ranpak, a Madison group, Hyperplane, and Catapult Ventures participated in the $50 million Pickle Robot Series B in November 2024.
What it is: Mendaera develops surgical robots with AI.
Founded: 2020
Total funding: $99 million, for the company
Notable deal: Umshold Ventures led Mendaera’s $75 million Series B of B investment in September 2024. Lux Capital and PFM Health Sciences also participated in Thearray
What it is: third-wave automation is the construction of autonomous elevators.
Founded: 2018
Total funding: $102 million, for the company
Notable Deal: Third Wave Automation closed a $27 million Series C investment in October 2024 led through Woven Capital, Toyota’s Growth Fund. Efforts, Norwest Venture Partners and Qualcomm Ventures also participated in Thearray
What it is: Farmwise builds agricultural robots.
Founded: 2016
Total Funding: $88 million, to Pitchbook
Notable deal: Farmwise, in May 2024, raised $10 million convertible notes.
What it is: Standard bots build autonomous robot guns that work on a commercial floor.
Founded: 2011
Total Funding: $87 million, to Pitchbook
Notable deal: In July 2024, Standard Bots raised a $63 million Series B directed through Catalyst General.
What it is: Mytra builds software and hardware for robots that run in warehouses.
Founded: 2022
Total funding: $78 million, for the company
Notable offering: Eclipse, Life Extension Ventures, and Greenoaks Capital Partners led Mytra’s $50 million Series B investment in July 2024.
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