Startups & Business News

Apptronik Raises $935M Series A: Apollo Humanoid Robot Funding

futureTEKnow
February 13, 2026

If you’re into the wild world of robots that look and work like us, Apptronik, the Austin-based crew building humanoid bots, just pulled off a funding stunt that’s got the tech scene buzzing. They closed over $935 million in their Series A round – yeah, you read that right. This isn’t some pocket change; it’s fuel to crank out more of their star robot, Apollo, and get it into real factories and warehouses pronto.

Let’s rewind a bit. Apptronik kicked off back in 2016 as a spinout from the University of Texas at Austin’s Human Centered Robotics Lab. The co-founders, Jeff Cardenas (CEO) and Dr. Nick Paine (CTO), have been grinding on this for years. Cardenas handles the big-picture strategy and getting products to market, while Paine brings the deep tech chops from his PhD work on actuators and even NASA’s Valkyrie robot. Their big bet? Robots that team up with humans, not replace them.

The funding story is epic. It started with a $415 million oversubscribed Series A in 2025. Then, investors kept knocking, so they opened a $520 million extension – the Series A-X – announced on February 11, 2026. Total Series A now tops $935 million, pushing their overall cash pile to nearly $1 billion. Valuation? A whopping $5 billion, with the extension at a 3x multiple from before. That’s huge confidence in humanoid tech right now.

Who shelled out the dough? Repeat players like B Capital (led by Howard Morgan), Google, Mercedes-Benz, and PEAK6. New heavy-hitters joined: AT&T Ventures, John Deere, and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). These aren’t random checks – they’re from giants who see robots fixing labor shortages in tough spots like manufacturing and logistics. Jeff Cardenas put it perfectly: “We’re transforming workflows, reimagining factory floors.”

Now, the star of the show: Apollo. This bot stands 5’8″, weighs 160 pounds, and hauls up to 55-pound boxes. It’s got stereoscopic camera “eyes,” an E Ink mouth for expressions, and an OLED chest screen to chat with workers. Right now, early Apollos run in safe factory zones with sensors, handling transport, sorting, and kitting alongside people. They’re testing with partners like Mercedes-Benz, GXO Logistics, and Jabil. Soon, collaborative safety upgrades will let them slow down or dodge humans on the fly.

Apptronik’s edge? They’ve built 15 robots before Apollo, so they know the drill. Plus, a key tie-up with Google DeepMind uses Gemini Robotics for smarter moves. The cash will build training facilities, speed up production, and tease a new robot later in 2026. Imagine brownfield warehouses – no total rebuilds needed. Apollo just slots in, loading boxes onto mobile bots like Kiva-style AMRs.

Humanoid robotics is exploding. China’s bots and Tesla’s Optimus are in the mix, but Apptronik’s human-first design stands out. With 300 employees, they’re scaling fast for retail, healthcare, and even homes down the line. This funding isn’t just money; it’s a green light for bots that make grunt work easier, letting humans focus on smarter stuff.

Why does this matter for you? If you’re in logistics or manufacturing, Apollo could cut injuries and boredom from repetitive jobs. For investors or tech fans, it’s proof humanoid startups are no longer sci-fi – they’re here, valued at billions. Apptronik’s story shows how grit from UT Austin labs turns into global game-changers. Can’t wait to see Apollo everywhere.

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