Key Points
- Skild AI closed a $1.4 billion Series C round, valuing the company above $14 billion.
- The financing was led by SoftBank with participation from Nvidia, Macquarie Group, 1789 Capital and others.
- Total capital raised by Skild AI now exceeds $2 billion.
- Founded in 2023, the startup builds general‑purpose robotic foundation models that can be retrofitted to many robots.
- Its technology enables robots to learn tasks by observing humans, reducing the need for extensive training.
- The funding aims to accelerate scaling and market expansion amid growing interest in adaptable robot software.
- Skild AI joins other firms targeting learn‑as‑you‑go robotics, such as Field AI and humanoid makers Neo and 1X.
Funding Milestone and Valuation
Skild AI, a startup that creates foundation models for robotic systems, announced the close of a $1.4 billion Series C financing round. The investment lifts the company’s valuation to more than $14 billion, according to Bloomberg. The round was led by SoftBank and included contributions from Nvidia, Macquarie Group, 1789 Capital and other investors.
Skild AI’s previous fundraising event, completed the prior summer, valued the company at $4.5 billion. While the exact amount raised at that round was not disclosed, the company’s CEO, Deepak Pathak, indicated that total capital raised to date now exceeds $2 billion.
Company Background and Technology
Founded in 2023, Skild AI builds general‑purpose robotic software and foundation models that can be retrofitted to a variety of robots and tasks without requiring extensive additional training. The company’s technology is designed to enable robots to learn by watching humans perform tasks, reducing the amount of manual programming traditionally needed for each new application.
This approach addresses a major barrier to broader robot adoption in both personal and industrial settings: the extensive training required for robots to acquire new skills. By allowing robots to adapt and learn on the fly, Skild AI hopes to open the path for more widespread deployment of robotic solutions.
Industry Context
The funding round comes amid a surge of interest in learn‑as‑you‑go robotic software, driven in part by growing hype around humanoid robots. Companies such as Field AI and makers of humanoid platforms like Neo and 1X are also pursuing similar goals, underscoring a competitive landscape focused on adaptable robot intelligence.
Skild AI’s latest financing positions it as a leading player in this emerging sector, providing the capital needed to scale its technology and expand its market reach.
Source: techcrunch.com