ARK Invest Funds Apptronik to Boost Humanoid Robotics Innovation
KEY FACTS: Apptronik, an Austin-based humanoid robotics company, secured a $403 million Series A funding round, bolstered by ARK Invest, Mercedes-Benz, Google, and other prominent investors like B Capital and Japan Post Capital. This oversubscribed round, building on a $350 million raise in February, aims to accelerate production of Apptronik’s flagship robot, Apollo, designed for industrial tasks such as manufacturing and logistics, amid soaring demand from partners like Mercedes-Benz and GXO Logistics. Founded in 2016 as a University of Texas spin-off, Apptronik has leveraged its Google DeepMind partnership to enhance AI-driven robot behavior, positioning it as a key player in a competitive field alongside Tesla and Figure AI. The funding reflects an investor enthusiasm for AI and robotics, with ARK integrating Apptronik into its Ark Venture Fund, toward a transformative year ahead for the industry in 2025.
Source: ARK_Funds/ X
ARK Invest Funds Apptronik to Boost Humanoid Robotics Innovation
ARK Invest, the cryptocurrency-friendly investment firm led by Cathie Wood, has joined a massive $403 million Series A funding round for Apptronik, a Texas-based company specializing in humanoid robotics. The oversubscribed funding round, announced on Tuesday, January 18, is crucial for Apptronik as it seeks to accelerate the development and deployment of its cutting-edge humanoid robots, designed to revolutionize manufacturing and logistics industries.
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The $403 million raise builds on a previously disclosed $350 million Series A round from February 2025, with an additional $53 million secured in this latest close. The funding effort has attracted high-profile investors, including automotive giant Mercedes-Benz, tech titan Google, and Japan Post Capital, alongside lead investors B Capital and Texas-based Capital Factory. This coalition of backers underscores the growing confidence in Apptronik’s vision to integrate advanced AI with robotics to address pressing labor shortages and automation challenges.
Apptronik, founded in 2016 as a spin-off from the University of Texas, has emerged as a key player in the rapidly evolving robotics landscape. The company’s flagship project, the humanoid robot Apollo, is designed for general-purpose industrial applications, offering a versatile solution for tasks such as assembly, inspection, and material handling. Apptronik aims to create robots capable of working alongside humans in dynamic, real-world environments by combining sophisticated actuation systems, advanced control mechanisms, and artificial intelligence.
The latest funding infusion will enable Apptronik to scale up production of Apollo, meeting what the company describes as “skyrocketing customer demand.” Already, Apptronik has secured commercial agreements with major players like Mercedes-Benz and GXO Logistics, signaling strong industry interest in its technology. Additionally, a strategic partnership with Google’s DeepMind robotics team has bolstered the company’s efforts to refine robot behavioral models, leveraging Google’s expertise in AI to enhance Apollo’s capabilities. Jeff Cardenas, CEO and co-founder of Apptronik, said in a statement:
“We’re thrilled to see such strong support from visionary investors like ARK Invest, Google, and Mercedes-Benz,”...“This funding represents a turning point not just for Apptronik, but for the robotics industry as a whole. We’re on the cusp of a transformative era where humanoid robots will become indispensable partners in driving efficiency and innovation.”
For ARK Invest, the decision to back Apptronik fulfills its strategy of investing in disruptive technologies, particularly those at the intersection of AI and automation. Known for its bold bets on cryptocurrency and cutting-edge startups, ARK has increasingly turned its attention to artificial intelligence as a catalyst for economic transformation. The firm’s participation in Apptronik’s Series A follows its investments in other prominent AI platforms, including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Groq.
In October 2024, ARK reportedly committed at least $250 million to OpenAI’s funding round, making the AI research organization its third-largest holding in the Ark Venture Fund, accounting for approximately 5% of its total assets. The addition of Apptronik to its portfolio further solidifies ARK’s commitment to advancing AI-driven solutions across multiple sectors.
Apptronik’s rise comes amid a heated race in the humanoid robotics sector, with competitors like Tesla (with its Optimus robot) and Nvidia-backed Figure AI vying for dominance. Just last month, Figure AI reportedly entered talks to raise $1.5 billion at a $39.5 billion valuation, highlighting the intense investor enthusiasm for robotics startups. Apptronik’s $403 million haul, while smaller in scale, positions it as a formidable contender, particularly given its established partnerships and focus on industrial applications.
The company’s collaboration with Google DeepMind has drawn particular attention, mirroring similar tie-ups in the industry, such as Boston Dynamics’ recent partnership with the Robotics and AI Institute. Apptronik seeks to prioritize hardware development and deployment while relying on a proven partner for behavioral modeling—a strategic move that could accelerate its path to market. This would be made possible by leveraging Google’s AI prowess.
Industry observers see 2025 as a pivotal year for robotics, akin to the explosive growth of large language models in 2023. This sentiment is echoed by analysts who predict that the convergence of AI, robotics, and other emerging technologies—like augmented reality and blockchain—could unlock unprecedented opportunities. Cardenas told Reuters in an interview:
“The way I think about robotics and AI is it’s very similar to large language models two years ago,”...“I think 2025 is where you’re going to see a lot of activity for robotics.”
For Apptronik, the immediate focus is on scaling Apollo’s production and deploying units to customer sites, including factories and warehouses operated by partners like Jabil, a manufacturing stalwart that recently joined forces with Apptronik to test and produce the robots. The implications of this technology extend far beyond industrial efficiency. As humanoid robots become more capable and cost-effective, they could reshape labor markets, alleviate shortages in key industries, and even pave the way for broader societal adoption. However, such advancements also raise questions about workforce displacement and the ethical integration of AI-driven machines—challenges that Apptronik and its peers will need to navigate in the years ahead.
With $403 million in fresh capital and a roster of heavyweight backers, Apptronik is poised to lead the next wave of robotics innovation. The company’s journey shows the rapid maturation of the humanoid robotics field. For ARK Invest and its fellow investors, the bet on Apptronik is a bet on a future where robots and humans work side by side, transforming industries and redefining productivity.
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