Humanoid Robot Startup Apptronik Raises $935M at $5B+ Valuation, Poised to Revolutionize Future of Work

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Key Takeaways

• Apptronik has raised $935 million in Series A funding at a valuation of over $5 billion.
• Major investors include Google, Mercedes-Benz, John Deere, and AT&T Ventures.
• The company’s humanoid robot, Apollo, is designed for warehouse and manufacturing work.
• Apptronik now ranks in the top three globally for humanoid robotics funding.
• This massive investment signals that the era of working alongside humanoid robots is already here, not a distant future.

Imagine walking into a warehouse tomorrow morning. The lights are humming, the conveyor belts are moving, but something is different. The person lifting the heavy boxes onto the pallet next to you isn’t breathing. It doesn’t need a coffee break. It doesn’t complain about a sore back. It looks like a human, moves like a human, but it is made of metal and code.

This is not a scene from a science fiction movie set in the year 2050. This is the reality that big investors are betting billions of dollars on right now.

The Billion-Dollar Headline

On February 11, 2026, the tech world shook a little bit. Apptronik, a company based in Austin, Texas, announced that it had secured a massive amount of new money.

Specifically, they announced a $520 million Series A extension. In the world of startups, a “Series A” is usually the first big round of money a company raises after its initial seed money. Usually, a Series A is somewhere between $10 million and $50 million. Apptronik is playing a different game entirely.

This new $520 million adds to a previous $415 million they raised back in February 2025. When you do the math, the total funding for this round sits at over $935 million. According to the company, their total capital raised is now “nearly $1 billion.”

You can read the official announcement from the company here: Apptronik Closes Over $935 Million Series A.

But the cash isn’t the only big number. The value of the company has skyrocketed. This new round of funding values Apptronik at roughly $5 billion to $5.5 billion. That is about three times higher than what the company was worth just one year ago.

This kind of growth is rare. It suggests that investors are not just interested; they are scrambling to get a piece of the action. The company even stated that they opened this new funding round because of “substantial inbound investor interest.” In plain English, that means investors were knocking on their door, begging to give them money.

For a deeper look at the valuation details, check out this report: Humanoid startup Apptronik raises $520 million.

Who Is Betting on the Bots?

When a startup raises nearly a billion dollars, it is important to look at who is writing the checks. The list of investors for Apptronik reads like a “Who’s Who” of global industry and technology.

It is not just venture capital firms gambling on a hunch. These are giant corporations that build cars, run phone networks, and manage massive farms.

The backers include:

• Google (via Alphabet): The search giant is heavily invested in AI.
• Mercedes-Benz Group: One of the world’s biggest car makers.
• John Deere: The company that makes the tractors that farm our food.
• AT&T Ventures: A major telecommunications player.
• Qatar Investment Authority (QIA): A massive sovereign wealth fund.

There are also returning investors like B Capital and PEAK6.

Why does this mix matter? It tells us that this robot technology has utility. Mercedes-Benz isn’t investing because they think robots are cool. They are investing because they have factories full of cars that need to be built, and they see Apptronik’s robots as a way to build them faster and safer. John Deere likely sees a future where humanoids help on farms or in their own manufacturing plants.

You can see the full list of these strategic partners in Apptronik’s release: Apptronik Investor Announcement.

Meet Apollo: The Robot You Might Work With

So, what is all this money buying? It is funding the production of a robot named Apollo.

Apollo is a “general-purpose” humanoid robot. This means it isn’t a machine built to do just one thing, like screw on a bottle cap. It is built to do many things, just like a human.

What does Apollo look like?

Apollo is roughly human-sized. It walks on two legs (it is bipedal). It has arms, hands, and a head. The design is intentional. Our world – our factories, our warehouses, our doorways, and our stairs – is built for humans. If you want a robot to work in these spaces without rebuilding the whole building, the robot needs to be shaped like a human.

What does Apollo do?

Apptronik calls Apollo a “trusted collaborator.” The goal isn’t necessarily to fire all human workers immediately, but to have Apollo work alongside them.

In the near term, Apollo is being trained for:

• Warehouse work: Moving boxes, totes, and carts from one place to another.
• Kitting: Gathering different parts needed to build a product.
• Line-side delivery: Bringing materials to the human workers who are assembling complex items.

Basically, if a job is dull, dirty, or dangerous – specifically if it involves lifting heavy things over and over again – Apollo is designed to do it.

Early in 2025, Apptronik announced a pilot partnership with Jabil, a huge manufacturing company. This was a key moment because it moved Apollo from a cool science experiment to a real worker in a real factory. You can read more about their industrial steps here: Apptronik’s robots take first steps.

The Great Humanoid “Arms Race”

Apptronik is not alone in this mission. In fact, we are in the middle of a global race to build the best humanoid robot. It is similar to the Space Race of the 1960s, but instead of going to the moon, companies are racing to the factory floor.

According to data from Forbes, Apptronik is now in the top tier of this race. Here is how the funding stacks up for the biggest players:

1. Figure AI: They have raised approximately $1.9 billion.
2. UBTech Robotics: They have raised around $940 million.
3. Apptronik: Now sitting at nearly $1 billion ($935M in Series A).
4. Agility Robotics: They have raised about $641 million.

This puts Apptronik solidly in the top three globally. They are one of the best-funded startups in the United States. You can see this comparison and ranking here: Forbes: Apptronik hits top 3 for humanoid robotics funding.

It is also worth noting that Tesla is in this race with their “Optimus” robot. While Tesla doesn’t raise venture capital in the same way as a startup, they are a massive competitor with huge resources.

Why Is This Happening Now?

You might be wondering: “Why now? Why is everyone suddenly obsessed with humanoid robots?”

There are three main drivers behind this billion-dollar trend.

1. The Labor Shortage

In the United States and many other countries, there is a shortage of workers for manual labor jobs. Warehouses and factories are struggling to find people who want to do repetitive, physically demanding work for 8 to 10 hours a day.

Companies like GXO Logistics and Mercedes-Benz are backing Apptronik because they need a solution. If they can’t hire humans to move the boxes, they need machines to do it.

2. The AI Boom

The brain of the robot is just as important as the body. Recent breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have changed everything. We now have “Large Language Models” (like the tech behind ChatGPT) and “Multimodal AI” that can see and understand the world.

Apptronik is using “embodied AI.” They have even partnered with Google DeepMind to use Gemini Robotics tech. This allows the robot to learn faster. Instead of programming every single movement, the robot can learn by observing and simulating tasks. This makes them smarter and more adaptable.

3. Better Hardware

Batteries are getting better. Motors (actuators) are getting stronger and cheaper. It is finally becoming economically possible to build a robot that doesn’t cost ten million dollars. Apptronik has hinted in the past that they want their robots to eventually cost about the same as a car. If a factory can buy a robot for the price of a car, and that robot can work three shifts a day without stopping, the economics become very attractive.

See more on the economic angle here: CNBC: Tesla rival Apptronik funding.

The Skeptics: Is It a Bubble?

While the excitement is high, not everyone is convinced. Good reporting requires us to look at both sides of the coin.

Some experts worry that there is a “humanoid robot bubble.” One of the most famous roboticists in the world, Rodney Brooks, has warned about this. In 2025, he argued that the bubble is “doomed to burst.”

His argument is simple: the timelines are too optimistic. Investors think we will have robots everywhere in two years, but it might take ten. He also points out that for many jobs, you don’t need a robot with legs. A robot on wheels or a simple conveyor belt might be cheaper and more efficient.

You can read about his warnings here: Famed roboticist says humanoid bubble is doomed to burst.

Despite these warnings, investors are doubling down. They are betting $935 million that this time, things are different. They believe the combination of new AI brains and better robot bodies will prove the skeptics wrong.

How Will Apptronik Spend $935 Million?

Having a billion dollars in the bank is great, but you have to spend it wisely to win the race. Apptronik has a clear plan for their war chest.

1. Ramping Up Production:
Right now, building a humanoid robot is slow and hard. Apptronik plans to move from making small batches of robots to “scaled production.” They want to mass-produce Apollo so they can ship them to huge enterprise customers. This requires building new assembly lines and supply chains.

2. Global Expansion:
They aren’t just staying in Texas. The funding will help them expand their “global network of commercial and pilot deployments.” This means putting robots into more factories around the world.

3. Training the Brains:
To make a robot smart, you need data. Apptronik plans to build “state-of-the-art facilities for robot training and data collection” in Austin. Imagine a gym for robots, where they practice lifting, walking, and holding things millions of times until they get it perfect.

4. A New Robot in 2026:
Perhaps the most exciting nugget of news is that they are already working on the next generation. The funding will support the R&D for a new humanoid robot expected to debut in 2026.

5. Hiring Humans:
Ironically, to build more robots, they need more humans. Apptronik currently has over 300 employees and plans to hire more engineers and operations staff.

Check out their roadmap here: Apptronik News Collection.

What This Means for Startups and Founders

The story of Apptronik is a story about the future of labor, but it is also a story about the power of a compelling vision.

Apptronik convinced some of the biggest companies in the world – Google, Mercedes, John Deere – to trust them with nearly a billion dollars. They did this by identifying a massive problem (labor shortage) and presenting a scalable solution (humanoid robots) powered by the latest technology (AI).

For founders reading this, the lesson is clear: Big problems attract big capital.

However, we know that not every startup is building a sci-fi robot. Most founders are building software, apps, or services that solve everyday problems. And for most founders, the process of fundraising doesn’t involve inbound calls from Google.

In fact, for the vast majority of entrepreneurs, fundraising is a grueling, manual process. It involves months of researching investors, guessing emails, and sending generic messages that get ignored. It is the exact opposite of the efficiency Apptronik is trying to bring to factories.

This is the problem we are obsessed with at HeyEveryone.io.

Just as Apptronik is using AI to automate physical labor, HeyEveryone uses AI to automate the heavy lifting of fundraising.

We know that you can’t spend six months manually searching for investors when you need to be building your product. That is why we built a tool that:

• Identifies the right investors for your specific sector and stage.
• Finds their verified contact info, so you aren’t guessing.
• Uses AI to write hyper-personalized emails based on that investor’s recent news and interests.

Apptronik’s founders didn’t raise $935 million by sending generic “Dear Sir/Madam” emails. They connected with the right partners who understood their vision.

At HeyEveryone, we help you do the same, but without the need for a billion-dollar rolodex. Our AI scans vast datasets to match you with investors who are actually looking for what you are building. Then, we automate the outreach and the follow-ups. The result? Reply rates that are 10x higher than the industry average.

The Future is Automated

Whether it is a robot named Apollo moving boxes in a warehouse, or an AI system helping you find your next lead investor, one thing is clear: Automation is the key to growth.

The news about humanoid robot startup Apptronik raising $935M at a $5B+ valuation is more than just a financial statistic. It is a sign that the world is ready to embrace tools that make us more efficient.

The investors have spoken. They are betting on a future where humans and machines work together – in the factory, and in the startup office.

Are you ready for your new co-worker?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money has Apptronik raised in total?

Apptronik has raised $935 million in its Series A funding round, bringing the company’s total capital raised to nearly $1 billion. This includes a $520 million extension announced in February 2026 and a previous $415 million raised in February 2025.

What is Apptronik’s valuation after the latest funding round?

Following the Series A extension, Apptronik is valued at approximately $5 billion to $5.5 billion, which is roughly three times higher than its valuation one year prior.

Who are the major investors in Apptronik?

The major investors include Google (via Alphabet), Mercedes-Benz Group, John Deere, AT&T Ventures, and the Qatar Investment Authority, along with returning investors like B Capital and PEAK6.

What does Apollo, Apptronik’s humanoid robot, do?

Apollo is designed as a “general-purpose” humanoid robot for tasks such as warehouse work, kitting, and line-side delivery. It is built to handle repetitive, physically demanding jobs like lifting and moving heavy objects.

How does Apptronik compare to other humanoid robotics companies?

With $935 million raised, Apptronik ranks in the top three globally for humanoid robotics funding. It trails only Figure AI (approximately $1.9 billion) and UBTech Robotics (around $940 million), and is ahead of Agility Robotics (about $641 million).

Why is there so much investment in humanoid robots right now?

Three main factors are driving investment: a labor shortage in manual labor jobs, recent AI breakthroughs that make robots smarter and more adaptable, and better hardware (batteries and actuators) that make humanoid robots economically viable.

Are there concerns about a “humanoid robot bubble”?

Yes. Famous roboticist Rodney Brooks has warned that the humanoid robot bubble is “doomed to burst,” arguing that timelines are too optimistic and that for many jobs, simpler solutions like wheeled robots might be more practical and cost-effective.

What will Apptronik do with the $935 million in funding?

Apptronik plans to use the funds to ramp up production, expand globally, build robot training facilities in Austin, develop a new humanoid robot expected in 2026, and hire more employees to support these initiatives.