Ant Group Leads $73.58 Million Zeroth Round as It Backs 12th Robotics Startup Since 2025
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jul 2
Ant Group Leads $73.58 Million Zeroth Round as It Backs 12th Robotics Startup Since 2025
1 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jul 2
Summary
500 million yuan ($73.58 million) from Ant Group and other investors lifts humanoid robotics startup Zeroth's total funding to 1 billion yuan, marking Ant's latest push deeper into the sector.
Ant has now invested in 12 robotics companies since early 2025, after setting up humanoid robot unit RobbyAnt in late 2024 and adapting Alipay for AI and robotics use that Zeroth wants to tap.
Zeroth, founded in late 2024, is targeting home humanoids in stages—starting with elderly companionship and pet care, then children's education—and currently uses Horizon Robotics chips.
More than 30,000 orders and a 600% first-half revenue jump underpin Zeroth's expansion plans, with founder Guo Renjie aiming to start sales in North America and Europe this fall pending compliance approvals.
China's humanoid robot race is drawing wider interest: Nvidia this week posted robotics hiring in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen as capital and talent flow into the field.