How Google, Foxconn, GE, And Other Corporate Investors Are Betting On Robotics Startups

Corporate-backed deals to robotics startups increased dramatically in 2015 to 35 deals, from fewer than 10 the previous year. Some of the notable deals last year included an 80M round raised by Xiaomi-backed Ninebot, a 50M Series C round raised by Qualcomm Ventures-backed 3D Robotics, and a 25M Series A round raised by Samsung Ventures-backed social robot Jibo. There have been more than 25 corporate-backed deals so far this year, as of 9/23/2016. There has also been a flurry of M&A activity in the industrial robotics sector. Switzerland-based ABB's acquisition of Sweden-based SVIA is the most recent exit as of 9/23/2016.