ARK Invest joins $403M raise for AI robotics firm Apptronik
ARK Invest, known for its focus on innovative technologies, has made a significant move by participating in Apptronik’s recent funding round. The Texas-based robotics company, which specializes in humanoid robots, announced on March 18 that it successfully closed an oversubscribed Series A funding round totaling $403 million. This amount includes an additional $53 million on top of the $350 million previously disclosed in February.
With this investment, ARK Venture Fund (ARKVX), which emphasizes disruptive innovation, has opened access to Apptronik for its investors. The firm took to social media to announce its pride in providing this opportunity, encouraging investors to consider engaging with Apptronik.
The Series A round, originally spearheaded by B Capital and Capital Factory, attracted interest from notable participants, including tech powerhouse Google. New investors contributing to the latest round include Germany’s Mercedes-Benz, Japan Post Capital, and RyderVentures, the venture capital arm of Ryder System, alongside a syndicate led by Korea Investment Partners. This influx of capital indicates robust market demand and confidence in the integration of artificial intelligence into physical robotics.
Founded in 2016 as a spinoff from the University of Texas at Austin’s Human-Centered Robotics Lab, Apptronik aims to revolutionize the robotics landscape. The company has developed 15 robotic systems, including the highly regarded humanoid robot NASA Valkyrie, and recently introduced Apollo, designed for industrial applications. Apptronik’s mission, as articulated on their website, emphasizes a collaborative future where “Man plus Machine” will catalyze the next stage of human evolution.
Reflecting on their innovative legacy, Apptronik’s work in humanoid robotics dates back to a 2013 challenge organized by NASA and DARPA, where the Human Centered Robotics Lab showcased Valkyrie. Moreover, Google’s AI division, DeepMind, has partnered with Apptronik to enhance the capabilities of its bipedal robots through embodied AI.
ARK Invest’s engagement with Apptronik underscores its commitment to fostering advancements in technology, as the firm has also been active in supporting various other AI platforms, including Anthropic and OpenAI. Notably, ARK’s investments are strategically aligned with their mission—reflected in their acronym, “Active Research Knowledge”—to drive innovative solutions in technology and finance.
As of late February, SpaceX holds the largest share in ARK’s portfolio, constituting around 16% of its total assets. This investment landscape showcases ARK’s extensive commitment to nurturing next-generation innovations as they continue to shape the future of technology and robotics.
