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Persona AI, a company specializing in embodied artificial intelligence, has successfully closed an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round, securing $27 million. This significant investment will fuel the advancement and implementation of Persona's humanoid robot platform, specifically designed for demanding tasks within shipbuilding and industrial manufacturing sectors.
Engineered to tackle critical labor shortages and improve safety in the workplace, Persona's robots aim to bolster supply chain resilience within vital global industries. The company has already established a significant partnership with HD Hyundai, the world's leading shipbuilder, to integrate humanoid robots into their shipyards, with initial deliveries anticipated within the next 18 months.
Founded in 2024 by seasoned robotics experts Nic Radford (CEO), Jerry Pratt (CTO), and Jide Akinyode (COO), Persona is committed to delivering purpose-built humanoid robots tailored for physically demanding environments. These robots will combine industrial-grade precision with human-like dexterity. Persona AI's robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model eliminates the need for substantial upfront capital investments from their clients, offering a flexible and accessible solution.
"We're deeply grateful to our investors, not just for capital, but for their conviction in a bold vision," stated Radford. "These partners understand the scale and transformative potential of humanoid robot labor. This level of commitment reflects the magnitude of the opportunity and a trust in what we're pursuing which we don't take lightly."
Shankar Gupta Boddu, General Partner at Unity Growth, commented, "In the field of humanoid robotics, Persona stands out for tackling the most challenging problems in industrial labor. Their mission goes beyond automation, they're working towards building a safer and more efficient workplace."
Mike Loretz, General Partner at Tides Ventures, added, "We're proud to back Persona pushing the boundaries of humanoid robotics. Their early traction with global leaders like HD Hyundai signals massive opportunity, and we're excited to support their bold industrial automation vision."
The funding round saw co-leadership from Unity Growth and Tides Ventures, with participation from a diverse group of investors including Mirae Asset Group, Invicta Growth, Fathom Fund, Embedded Ventures, Wave Function Ventures, Zero Infinity Partners, dConstruct Technologies, Goose Capital, SGH, Sound Media Ventures, Kalea Ventures, K50 Ventures, Cofounder Ventures, Tola Capital, SGA Capital, Olive Hill Ventures, and K2 Global.
According to a report by Morgan Stanley, the market for humanoid labor in the United States alone has the potential to reach a staggering $3 trillion. This growth is projected to be driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and the increasing global demand for intelligent automation that can replicate human capabilities.
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