Skild AI Round Gets Pricier as Robot Fever Rises

Robotics startups are taking over the fundraising market.

On Wednesday, my colleague Michael and I published a scoop about Foundation, a robotics startup launched by the former CEO of failed fintech firm Synapse, seeking capital at a $1 billion valuation despite just a year under its belt. 

That’s one of several robotics rounds in play. Skild AI, which makes artificial intelligence foundation models to direct many kinds of robots, is nearing a deal to raise $500 million at a $4.2 billion valuation, not including the investment, according to two people with direct knowledge of the fundraising talks.