German robotics startup RobCo has reached a $1 billion valuation as the company accelerates its expansion in the United States and develops a new generation of AI-powered industrial robots.
The Munich-based company reached the milestone through a secondary share transaction involving existing and new investors. The deal follows a $100 million funding round announced in January, underscoring growing investor interest in robotics and artificial intelligence technologies aimed at automating industrial operations.
Founded in 2020, RobCo develops modular industrial robots designed to automate manufacturing and other repetitive tasks. The company has deployed more than 1,000 robots and serves industrial customers including BMW, as demand grows for automation solutions that can be adapted to changing production requirements.
The company is also preparing to expand beyond conventional industrial automation with Alfie, a two-armed robot designed to use artificial intelligence to perform more complex tasks in factory environments. RobCo expects to launch the robot commercially in March 2027, marking a significant step in its efforts to combine robotics with so-called physical AI.
US Expansion Becomes a Key Priority
RobCo’s latest valuation comes as the company increases its focus on the US market. CEO and co-founder Roman Hölzl has moved to the United States, where RobCo already has operations in Austin and San Francisco.
The US has become an increasingly important market for European robotics companies seeking access to larger industrial customers, capital and technology talent. For RobCo, the expansion is also intended to bring the company closer to customers as it scales its product portfolio.
The company’s progress reflects a broader shift in the robotics industry, where advances in AI are enabling machines to operate in environments that previously required significant human intervention. Investors are increasingly backing startups developing robots capable of adapting to real-world conditions rather than performing only narrowly defined, repetitive movements.
With its latest valuation and growing US presence, RobCo is positioning itself at the intersection of industrial automation, robotics and physical AI, as manufacturers look for technologies that can improve productivity and address labor shortages.
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