ARK Invest Backs Apptronik’s AI Robotics Venture
Cryptocurrency-friendly investment manager ARK Invest has joined a significant Series A funding round for Apptronik, a Texas-headquartered humanoid robotics firm.
Apptronik announced on March 18 that it had finalized an oversubscribed $403 million Series A round, adding $53 million to its previously announced $350 million in February.
Having invested in Apptronik’s Series A, ARK Invest now offers investors access to the firm through its ARK Venture Fund (ARKVX) focused on disruptive innovation.
“Following an investment in their Series A round, the ARK Venture Fund is happy to offer investors access to Apptronik! Download SoFi and gain access today,” ARK Invest tweeted on X.
Mercedes-Benz, Japan Post, and Google Join the Round
The initial $350 million tranche was anchored by California’s B Capital and Texas’s Capital Factory, with Google joining in. The latest funding included new investors such as:
- Mercedes-Benz – The German auto giant
- Japan Post Capital – Early-stage tech investor
- RyderVentures – Ryder System’s corporate venture capital fund
- Korea Investment Partners – A leading investment syndicate
The strong demand for Apptronik’s financing reflects growing market confidence in embodied AI, the combination of artificial intelligence and physical systems.
Apptronik’s Vision: Man Plus Machine
Apptronik spun out of the University of Texas at Austin’s Human-Centered Robotics Lab in 2016 with a mission to take on humanoid robotics. The company developed 15 robotic systems, including the NASA Valkyrie humanoid robot, before launching Apollo—a humanoid robot powered by AI designed for industrial work.
“It’s not Man vs. Machine, but Man + Machine that will take humanity to the next level of evolution,” Apptronik’s website reads.
Google DeepMind and Apptronik Robotics Collaboration
Apptronik’s humanoid robotics research started in 2013 when the University of Texas’ Human-Centered Robotics Lab was involved in the NASA-DARPA Robotics Challenge. Google AI subsidiary, DeepMind, has now collaborated with Apptronik to create embodied AI for its biped robots.
ARK Invest’s Expanding AI Portfolio
ARK Invest’s backing of Apptronik highlights its commitment to innovation and technology. The firm has also invested in leading AI platforms, including:
- Anthropic
- OpenAI
- Groq
In October 2024, ARK committed at least $250 million to OpenAI’s funding round, making it the third-largest holding in the ARK Venture Fund, accounting for 5% of its total assets.
As of February 28, 2025, SpaceX remains the largest holding in the ARK Venture Fund, representing approximately 16% of the portfolio, according to the company’s official figures.
