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§ Private Profile · Gilching, Germany
Robotics company developing AI-powered robotic systems for industrial manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, focused on automation.
Agile Robots AG is a Munich, Germany-based company that develops AI-powered robotic systems, including sensitive cobots and industrial humanoids, for precision assembly and human-machine collaboration. The enterprise has scaled its business significantly, reaching a valuation of over $1 billion following a $220 million Series C funding round and generating approximately 200 million euros in annual revenue during 2024. Supported by a global workforce of over 2,500 employees, the firm recently expanded its manufacturing operations by acquiring the assets of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering and robotics competitor Franka Emika. The hardware and software provider is backed by prominent institutional and corporate investors, such as SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Sequoia Capital China, Foxconn, and BMW i Ventures. Agile Robots AG was founded in 2018 as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center by Zhaopeng Chen and Peter Meusel.
Agile Robots AG has raised $220.0M across 1 funding round.
Agile Robots AG has raised $220.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Agile Robots AG has raised $220.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Agile Robots AG's investors include SoftBank, 8VC, Correlation Ventures, Gradient Ventures, OVO Fund, Chimera, Hongshan Capital Group (Sequoia Capital China), Linear Capital, Midas, Xiaomi.
Agile Robots AG has raised $220.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $220.0M Series C in September 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2021 | $220M Series C | Softbank | 8VC, Correlation Ventures, Gradient Ventures, OVO Fund, Chimera, Hongshan Capital Group (Sequoia Capital China), Linear Capital, Midas, Xiaomi | Announced |
Agile Robots SE is a Munich-based technology company specializing in next-generation AI-driven robotics and automation solutions, making industries smarter, more flexible, and efficient.[1][2][3] It builds complete smart manufacturing systems—including robotic arms, mobile platforms, the world's leading robotic Agile Hand, and proprietary AgileCore software—powered by AI foundation models trained on real industrial data.[2] The company serves global leaders in automotive, consumer electronics, healthcare, and service industries, solving challenges in complex, sensitive tasks like electronics assembly and precision manipulation by enabling rapid adaptation and high-precision execution.[2][3][4][5] With over 2,500 employees across Germany, China, and India, it has achieved explosive growth, doubling revenues yearly to around 200 million euros in 2024, deploying over 10,000 solutions worldwide, and investing heavily in R&D (over 80 million euros in Germany last year).[2][4]
Founded in 2018 in Munich as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) by renowned robotics researchers, including CEO Dr. Zhaopeng Chen, Agile Robots emerged from cutting-edge aerospace research to commercialize AI-robotics for industrial use.[1][2][3][4] The idea took root with the debut of its first robot, Diana 7—a lightweight, seven-axis industrial robot for sensitive tasks like smartphone component installation—quickly gaining traction in consumer electronics.[5] Early milestones included opening production facilities in China to meet demand from top automotive and tech firms, earning ISO 9001 certification for quality management, and partnering with SoftBank as anchor investor to fuel global expansion.[5] Pivotal moments like acquiring Franka Robotics (pioneers in human-like touch robots for healthcare and retail) and launching a joint venture with BMW Group (idealworks) solidified its portfolio, while rapid scaling—doubling revenues annually and expanding to over 15 manufacturing sites—marked its evolution into a deep-tech unicorn.[1][4][5]
Agile Robots rides the convergence of AI, robotics, and smart manufacturing, capitalizing on Industry 4.0 trends where interconnected, learning systems replace rigid automation amid labor shortages and customization demands.[2][3] Timing is ideal post-2020s AI boom, with its DLR spin-off roots bridging research-to-industry gaps in Europe—bolstered by Munich's innovation ecosystem and German industrial competitiveness—while global facilities counter supply chain risks.[2][4] Market forces like rising demand for flexible production in EVs, electronics, and healthcare favor it, as real-data AI outperforms simulation-only approaches, and investments (e.g., 80M+ euros R&D) position it against US/Chinese giants.[2] It influences the ecosystem by deploying 10,000+ solutions, partnering with SoftBank/BMW, and pioneering European AI infrastructure, accelerating "human-like" robotics adoption and Bavarian deep-tech exports.[1][4][5]
Agile Robots is primed for unicorn-scale dominance, with next steps including scaling its Industrial AI Cloud integration, expanding the Agile Hand and foundation models for new sectors like agriculture/hospitality, and further US/Japan penetration via SoftBank.[2][5] Trends like multimodal AI, edge computing in factories, and sovereign European tech stacks will propel it, potentially tripling revenues by leveraging 2025 HQ expansions and real-data moats amid geopolitical pushes for non-China supply chains.[2][4] Its influence may evolve from automation provider to ecosystem orchestrator, shaping global standards in intelligent robotics—transforming the Munich spin-off that began with Diana 7 into an unbeatable force driving industrial excellence.[3][4]