In January 2026, the Munich-based physical AI pioneer RobCo announced the closing of a $100 million Series C funding round. The investment was co-led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and Lingotto Innovation, with participation from Sequoia Capital, Greenfield Partners, and The Friedkin Group.
Led by Founder and CEO Roman Hölzl, RobCo develops modular robotic hardware kits integrated with a proprietary Physical AI software stack. The platform enables SMEs to automate tasks like machine tending and palletizing with minimal technical expertise, utilizing self-learning methods rather than manual programming.
Traditional industrial robotics often requires prohibitive upfront costs and rigid systems. RobCo addresses this via a vertically integrated “Robotics-as-a-Service” model, allowing for rapid deployment and continuous skill acquisition. This shift toward autonomous production mirrors the rise of adaptive manufacturing and the deployment of autonomous home systems.
The new capital will accelerate RobCo’s expansion in the U.S. market, including a new facility in Austin, Texas. By enforcing a high-fidelity feedback loop between perception and motion, RobCo provides a level of operational reliability that transforms manufacturing floors from static environments into dynamic, AI-driven ecosystems.
Market Signal
- The “Physical AI” Alpha: RobCo’s $100M round validates that automation is moving beyond code to hardware that “reasons.” By treating robots as modular, self-learning units, the company is effectively commoditizing high-end industrial engineering for the masses.
- Strategic Geographic Reshoring: The focus on U.S. expansion targets the massive demand for domestic manufacturing automation. With new representation in San Francisco and Austin, RobCo is positioning itself as the infrastructure layer for the next wave of American industrial reshoring.
- Vertical Integration Moat: By controlling both the modular hardware and the AI brain, RobCo removes the “integrator tax” that has historically slowed robotics adoption. This “Single Pane of Glass” approach allows customers to scale automation across diverse workflows without fragmented vendor lock-in.
Key Details
- Company: RobCo (RobCo GmbH)
- Funding: $100M Series C
- Valuation: $500M+
- Headquarters: Munich, Germany / San Francisco, CA
- Lead Investors: Lightspeed, Lingotto
- CEO: Roman Hölzl
- Use Case: Modular industrial robotics, physical AI, and autonomous manufacturing
