Travis Kalanick Raises $1.7 Billion for Atoms as Uber Backs Industrial Robotics Push
Updated
Updated · Financial Times · Jul 22
Travis Kalanick Raises $1.7 Billion for Atoms as Uber Backs Industrial Robotics Push
2 articles · Updated · Financial Times · Jul 22
Summary
$1.7 billion in debt and equity will fund Atoms, Travis Kalanick’s new venture to automate industrial processes and build a “computer for the physical world.”
Andreessen Horowitz led the round, Ben Horowitz is joining the board, and Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan are among the banks providing loans alongside equity investors including Uber.
Atoms, launched in March from Kalanick’s renamed City Storage Systems, is targeting mining, construction, heavy transport and food production as sectors ripe for robotics and industrial AI.
The company already absorbed mining-focused autonomous vehicle start-up Pronto in April, extending Kalanick’s push beyond CloudKitchens after his 2017 exit from Uber.
The fundraising comes as Uber faces rising robotaxi competition from Alphabet’s Waymo and continues investing in self-driving start-ups including Nuro, Wayve and Waabi.
Why is Uber now funding the controversial founder it once fired?
Is Kalanick’s new venture America's industrial salvation or a dangerous gamble?
Can a founder known for toxic culture build a responsible robotics future?
Atoms Raises $1.7 Billion with Uber’s Strategic Return: Kalanick’s Robotics Vision, Industry Impact, and Controversy
Overview
In July 2026, Atoms made headlines by securing a massive $1.7 billion funding round, with Uber announcing its strategic re-entry as an investor. This move signals strong confidence in Atoms and its founder, Travis Kalanick, who led the company in stealth mode for eight years before its public launch. The investment not only gives Atoms significant capital to pursue its robotics ambitions but also re-establishes a key connection between Kalanick and Uber. Together, these developments highlight Kalanick’s enduring influence and set the stage for Atoms to transform major industries with innovative automation.