Mind Robotics, the industrial robotics startup spun out of electric vehicle maker Rivian, has raised an additional $400 million, just two months after closing a $500 million round. The new funding brings the company’s total capital raised to more than $1 billion and values it at over $3 billion, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
Rapid Funding Momentum
The latest round was led by Kleiner Perkins, with participation from the venture arms of Volkswagen and Salesforce. Volkswagen is already partnered with Rivian on a software joint venture, deepening the automotive giant’s ties to Rivian’s ecosystem. The rapid succession of large funding rounds underscores investor appetite for robotics solutions that can address labor shortages and efficiency gaps in manufacturing.
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Building Robots with Human-Like Skills
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, who serves as chairman of Mind Robotics, told TechCrunch in March that he founded the company because existing robotics startups were not adequately equipped to automate complex industrial tasks. The project, initially developed internally at Rivian under the name “Project Synapse,” was designed to create robots capable of performing work with human-like dexterity and adaptability.
Mind Robotics was officially created in 2025 and previously raised $115 million from Eclipse before the recent larger rounds. The company is focused on developing robots that can handle intricate assembly and logistics tasks in factory environments, moving beyond the repetitive, single-purpose machines common in traditional automation.
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Why This Matters for Manufacturing
The manufacturing sector has long struggled with automating tasks that require fine motor skills, adaptability, and real-time decision-making. If Mind Robotics can deliver on its promise of “human-like skills,” it could transform industries from automotive assembly to electronics production. The backing from Volkswagen suggests that major automakers see this technology as critical to future production lines.
Scaringe has also spun out a micromobility company called Also, which has raised more than $300 million to date, indicating a broader strategy of incubating and commercializing adjacent technologies outside of Rivian’s core EV business.
Conclusion
Mind Robotics’ rapid fundraising trajectory — from $115 million to over $1 billion in total capital in roughly a year — signals strong market conviction that advanced industrial robotics are nearing a tipping point. With deep-pocketed backers like Kleiner Perkins, Volkswagen, and Salesforce, the startup is well-positioned to scale its technology and potentially reshape how factories operate. The coming months will reveal whether the company can translate its ambitious vision into commercially viable products.
FAQs
Q1: What is Mind Robotics?
Mind Robotics is an industrial robotics startup spun out of Rivian in 2025. It focuses on building robots with human-like skills for factory automation, such as assembly and logistics tasks that require dexterity and adaptability.
Q2: Who invested in the latest funding round?
The $400 million round was led by Kleiner Perkins, with participation from the venture arms of Volkswagen and Salesforce. The company has now raised over $1 billion in total funding.
Q3: How is Mind Robotics connected to Rivian?
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe founded the company and serves as its chairman. The technology was originally developed internally at Rivian under the name “Project Synapse” before being spun out as a separate entity.
