Austin-based AI robotics company Apptronik has raised a $520 million Series A-X extension, following a $415 million initial Series A in 2025. The total Series A now exceeds $935 million, bringing the company’s total funding close to $1 billion. Strong demand allowed the extension to open at three times the original valuation, reflecting investor confidence in Apptronik’s vision for AI-powered humanoid robots.
- Established in 2016 by Jeff Cardenas and Dr. Nick Paine, Apptronik spun out of the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas at Austin. The firm develops humanoid and other advanced robots designed to work safely alongside humans in industrial and commercial environments.
- Apptronik’s approach builds on nearly two decades of research in robotics, including exoskeletons, bipedal mobility platforms, and high-capacity robotic arms. This work laid the foundation for Apollo, a humanoid robot capable of performing labor-intensive tasks such as lifting, sorting, kitting, and material handling in manufacturing and logistics. Apollo integrates upper-body dexterity, dynamic walking, and collaborative control systems to interact safely with human operators.
- The company follows a modular, human-centered design process. Each robot platform is tested through prototypes such as QDA and Astra, allowing engineers to refine actuation, control algorithms, and task-specific manipulation before deployment. Apollo leverages these capabilities to automate complex workflows without replacing human teams, enabling seamless integration into existing operations.
- Apptronik’s robots rely on embedded AI and sensor-driven control architectures, combining perception, motion planning, and force control to manage both delicate operations and heavy payloads. Apollo has been tested in pilot projects with logistics and manufacturing partners, performing tasks such as palletizing goods, unloading trailers, and transporting components on busy warehouse floors. These real-world deployments help the company refine performance and safety.
Details of the deal
- The Series A-X extension round was backed by existing investors B Capital, Google, Mercedes-Benz, and PEAK6, along with new investors AT&T Ventures, John Deere, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), and Prague-based Rockaway Ventures, which recently closed a €55 million fund to invest in late-seed and Series A tech startups.
- With the new funding, Apptronik plans to ramp up production of its Apollo™ humanoid robots and expand deployments across global commercial and pilot projects. The investment will support the construction of state-of-the-art training and data-collection facilities, accelerate time to market for current and upcoming models, and continue innovation in human-centered robot design, enabling robots to operate safely and effectively in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and retail.
