Why Skild AI’s New Funding Talks Matter Right Now

Growing curiosity surrounds Skild AI’s funding news, especially as searches surge for whether SoftBank and Nvidia are really backing another billion-dollar robotics play. Early details suggest both companies are in talks to lead a new investment round valuing Skild AI at a massive $14 billion—nearly triple its previous worth. This potential deal is drawing attention not only because of the size of the valuation but also because of what it signals for the future of AI-powered robotics. Many people want to know if Skild AI’s model is different, what SoftBank and Nvidia aim to gain, and whether the company’s tech is mature enough to justify the leap. With investor interest in robotics foundation models climbing, this developing story is shaping into one of the most closely watched AI funding events of 2025.

Credit: Getty Images AI Generator

Skild AI Funding Talks Accelerate as Big Tech Circles In

SoftBank Group and Nvidia are reportedly negotiating a fresh investment of more than $1 billion to push Skild AI to a $14 billion valuation. This comes less than a year after the startup closed a $500 million round at a valuation of $4.7 billion, showing how fast confidence is building around foundation models for robotics. Sources shared with Reuters that discussions are still ongoing, and neither SoftBank nor Nvidia has offered public commentary on the deal. Even without confirmation, industry observers already see the talks as a sign that leading tech investors want to lock in early positions in robotics software. For Skild AI, this would mark its biggest jump in valuation yet and position the company as a top competitor in the race to build a universal AI “brain” for real-world machines.

Why a $14B Valuation Signals a Shift in Robotics Investment

A near-tripling of valuation in such a short window suggests more than momentum—it reflects a broader shift in what investors believe will drive the next wave of automation. Robotics once centered heavily on specialized hardware, but the market is now gravitating toward software-first platforms capable of powering multiple robot types. Skild AI’s approach fits perfectly into this pivot. If investors agree on a $14 billion number, it implies they see foundation models for physical intelligence as the next frontier after large language models. It also raises questions about how close we are to practical, general-purpose robots capable of assisting in homes, workplaces, logistics hubs, and manufacturing floors.

Skild AI’s Robot-Agnostic Model Sets It Apart

One reason Skild AI is attracting such enthusiasm is its decision to stay completely hardware-agnostic. Unlike competitors who build robots and software together, Skild AI focuses strictly on a foundation model designed to be trained once and adapted endlessly. This strategy positions the company more like an AI infrastructure provider than a robotics manufacturer. Its system is built to work with a wide range of machines, making it easier for enterprises to integrate Skild’s model into existing robotics fleets. By leaning into flexibility and scalability, Skild AI is betting that the winning robotics solution will be the one that powers the most platforms—not the one tied to a single device.

The Launch of Skild Brain Amplifies Investor Confidence

Momentum around the company surged after it publicly unveiled Skild Brain, its general-purpose robot foundation model, in July. Demo footage showed robots performing high-value tasks such as loading dishes, navigating stairs, and handling objects with precision. These demonstrations helped position Skild AI as one of the few companies capable of building adaptable robotic intelligence—not just scripted automation. The ability to apply the same core model to drastically different tasks suggests scalable potential, which is exactly what major investors like SoftBank and Nvidia are searching for. If Skild Brain can continue to expand its capabilities, the company may become a central player in defining what physical AI looks like over the next decade.

Partnerships with LG CNS and HPE Strengthen Its Ecosystem

Strategic partnerships have further boosted confidence in Skild AI’s roadmap. Collaborations with LG CNS and Hewlett Packard Enterprise indicate enterprise-level demand for robotics intelligence that can integrate into existing infrastructure. These companies are exploring how Skild AI’s model could enhance industrial automation, cloud robotics, and AI-driven operational workflows. Strong enterprise partnerships often become a deciding factor in valuation jumps, as they reduce market risk and demonstrate early scalability. If Skild AI delivers on these collaborations, it could significantly strengthen its position as the core intelligence layer of next-generation robotics.

Physical Intelligence and the Rising Competition in Robotics AI

The robotics foundation model market is already heating up. Physical Intelligence, another startup building broad-application robotic “brains,” recently raised $600 million at a valuation of $5.6 billion. While promising, some investors who reviewed Physical Intelligence’s technology say its model remains in early developmental stages. This comparison highlights what makes Skild AI particularly noteworthy: it appears further along in both demonstrations and enterprise traction. With competitors ramping up funding and interest, the next 12 months could determine which companies become dominant and which ones struggle to keep pace.

A Broader Surge in AI Robotics Funding

The spike in funding across robotics AI signals a dramatic shift in investment priorities. The industry is moving from automation tools that handle narrow tasks to general-purpose systems capable of learning from the physical world. Several startups are pitching the idea that foundation models will unlock a robotics transformation equivalent to what large language models did for software. Investors see robotics as the next multi-trillion-dollar opportunity, especially as companies look for ways to reduce labor shortages and improve operational efficiency. Skild AI’s ability to attract multiple mega-rounds highlights how quickly capital is consolidating around a few key players.

Why Nvidia and SoftBank Are Doubling Down on Robotics AI

Nvidia’s interest is unsurprising given its push into edge computing, AI workloads, and robotic simulation platforms. For SoftBank, robotics has long been part of its long-term investment thesis, from Pepper Robots to warehouse automation. Both companies appear to view foundational robotics models as essential infrastructure for the next chapter of AI. If the deal closes, their involvement could shape the competitive landscape by providing Skild AI with unmatched hardware access, compute resources, and global distribution channels. Such backing would give the startup a powerful advantage as the robotics market becomes more crowded.

What a Successful Funding Round Could Mean for 2025

If these talks result in an actual investment, Skild AI would instantly become one of the highest-valued robotics AI companies in the world. A new infusion of capital could accelerate model training, expand enterprise adoption, and push the company closer to commercial-scale deployments. For the broader market, such a deal would reinforce that robotics AI is no longer a distant vision but a near-term priority for major investors. With more companies entering the race, 2025 may emerge as the breakthrough year for AI-driven robotics.