China’s robotics start-ups emerge as new venture-capital darlings

China’s robotics market is witnessing an investment boom, as start-ups in the field obtain increased venture- capital funding, raising the sector’s potential to become as important as the country’s electric-vehicle (EV) industry.

In the first two months of the year, nearly 2 billion yuan (US$276 million) in new funding went to humanoid robot developers across 20 deals, up from 1.2 billion yuan generated from 4 transactions a year earlier, according to data from ITJuzi, which tracks China’s venture-capital market.

That development reflects China’s position as a leading player in building humanoid robots; the domestic industry predicted to be on the cusp of achieving mass production and commercialisation in 2025.

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Of the 100 publicly-traded companies worldwide that Morgan Stanley “confirmed to be involved” in developing humanoid robots, 56 per cent were based in China, according to a research paper published last month.

China is also home to 45 per cent of the world’s integrators, which are firms that customise robots to match end-user needs, according to the report.

A Chinese-made humanoid robot interacts with visitors at a booth during this week’s 2025 MWC Barcelona trade show in Spain. Photo: Xinhua alt=A Chinese-made humanoid robot interacts with visitors at a booth during this week’s 2025 MWC Barcelona trade show in Spain. Photo: Xinhua>

At least three Chinese robotics start-ups on Thursday announced new financing, including LimX Dynamics, AI2Robotics and Eyoubot.

LimX Dynamics said it completed a series A+ funding round, several months after its series A financing in July. The firm said it raised 500 million yuan from the two fundraising events. Its investors include China Merchants Group, EV maker Nio

Founded in 2022, LimX Dynamics develops humanoid robots that can lift heavy loads and be deployed in factories and warehouses.

AI2Robotics said its latest funding round collected more than 100 million yuan from institutions such as Dunhong Capital and Yunqi Capital. Dunhong is known for its early investment in Unitree Robotics.

Two months ago, AI2Robotics said it completed a fundraising that raised “hundreds of millions of yuan” from Dunhong Capital, Fortune Capital and CoStone Capital. The start-up said it has signed up a number of first-tier domestic and international automotive companies as clients, and recorded sales worth “tens of millions of yuan” in 2024.