Skild AI Eyes Major Funding from SoftBank

Skild AI Eyes Major Funding from SoftBank

Skild AI is in talks to raise $500 million from SoftBank, potentially valuing the robotics AI startup at $4 billion, according to the Financial Times. If completed, the deal would more than double Skild’s valuation since July and reinforce SoftBank’s aggressive AI investment strategy under CEO Masayoshi Son.

Key Points:

  • Skild AI is negotiating a $500 million funding round led by SoftBank, which would raise its valuation from $1.5 billion to nearly $4 billion.
  • The Pittsburgh-based startup is developing a foundation model to power various types of robots, aiming to create a universal “AI brain” for robotics.
  • SoftBank’s investment aligns with its broader AI ambitions, including the $500 billion Stargate data center project with OpenAI.
  • The funding round remains in early discussions, and there is no guarantee the deal will go through.

Founded in Pittsburgh in 2023, Skild AI is developing what it calls a "general-purpose brain" for robots – a foundation model designed to enable various robotic systems to operate with greater agility and safety in real-world environments. The company's approach aims to create a unified AI system that can power everything from warehouse robots to household assistants.

The potential investment comes at a time when major tech players are increasingly focused on robotics AI. Tesla's Elon Musk has shifted significant attention to developing humanoid robots, while NVIDIA's CEO Jensen Huang recently described robotics as a "multitrillion-dollar opportunity," according to Financial Times reporting.

SoftBank, through its Vision Funds and direct investments, has been aggressively pursuing AI opportunities. Beyond Skild, the firm is leading the charge in AI infrastructure, recently committing to the ambitious Stargate project with OpenAI, Oracle, and NVIDIA. While some analysts question the viability of such large-scale AI investments, Son remains convinced that AI and robotics will drive the next major technological transformation.

The latest funding round is expected to include participation from existing investor Lightspeed Venture Partners, though the full roster of participating investors remains unclear. Skild's previous funding round attracted notable investors including Coatue Management and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos through his Bezos Expeditions vehicle.

The deal is not yet finalized, and sources indicate that discussions are still in progress. However, if it goes through, it would cement Skild AI as a major player in the rapidly evolving AI robotics space and reinforce SoftBank’s strategic push into automation.

This article reflects information as reported by the Financial Times and does not represent finalized deal terms. As with all such negotiations, terms may change, and there's no guarantee the discussions will result in a completed investment.

Chris McKay is the founder and chief editor of Maginative. His thought leadership in AI literacy and strategic AI adoption has been recognized by top academic institutions, media, and global brands.

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