Ambani-Backed Addverb Bags Bold $100 Mn China Challenge

Avinash
By
Avinash
Avinash is a dedicated MBA professional with expertise in business operations, team management, and AI-driven content development. Backed by global certifications and published HR research, he...
Addverb Technologies is raising fresh funding to scale humanoid robots, AI training systems, and lidar development.

Quick Take

  • Reliance-backed Addverb Technologies is raising over $100 Mn (Rs 836 Cr) to build humanoid and quadruped robots.
  • This is Addverb’s first major raise since Reliance’s $132 Mn deal for a 54% stake in 2021.
  • Funds target AI training, proprietary lidar, and a global top-10 robotics rank within five years.

Indian robotics startup Addverb Bags Bold plans to raise over $100 Mn (Rs 836 Cr) to build humanoid robots and challenge rivals from China, Japan, and the United States.

The Noida-based firm is controlled by Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries. CEO Sangeet Kumar told Bloomberg the company will use the cash for humanoid and quadruped robots, AI training systems, and its own lidar sensors. Addverb already sells warehouse robots in markets including the US, the Netherlands, and Australia.

StartupFeed Insight

The real signal here is not the $100 Mn cheque, it is the bet on vertical integration. By building its own lidar after two years of work, Addverb is trying to dodge the China component trap that squeezes margins for every robot maker. Reliance’s warehouse and retail network gives Addverb a captive testing ground that pure-play startups lack. Watch this closely if you track deep-tech or physical AI. StartupFeed predicts Addverb will close this round and reveal a humanoid production target above 100 units by March 2027, ahead of any stock market debut. By StartupFeed Desk.

Deal Breakdown: The Numbers

Addverb Technologies is seeking more than $100 Mn (Rs 836 Cr) in fresh institutional funding, according to CEO Sangeet Kumar speaking to Bloomberg. The raise marks the company’s first major capital push since 2021.

Metric Detail Notes
Target Raise Over $100 Mn (Rs 836 Cr) Terms not yet disclosed (company)
Round Type Institutional funding First major raise since 2021
Previous Round $132 Mn (Rs 984 Cr), 2021 Reliance bought 54% stake (MCA)
Lead Investor Reliance Industries Largest shareholder (company)
FY Revenue Target Rs 1,300 Cr ($136 Mn) Order book near $200 Mn (company)
Announcement Date June 10, 2026 Reported by Bloomberg

The most striking number is the order book. A backlog near $200 Mn (Rs 1,672 Cr) gives Addverb revenue visibility as it bets heavily on unproven humanoid hardware.

About Addverb Technologies

Addverb Technologies builds robots that sort goods and move material inside warehouses for logistics, retail, and electronics firms. Founded in 2016 by six former Asian Paints engineers including Sangeet Kumar, Prateek Jain, and Bir Singh, it is based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. It sells across two dozen countries. Top backer Reliance Industries holds roughly 54%, with founders and staff owning about 20%.

How Will Addverb Use the Funds?

Addverb will spend the new capital on humanoid and four-legged robots, AI model training, data infrastructure, and proprietary lidar sensors. The plan is to cut dependence on imported parts and protect margins.

“Mobile robots taught us navigation, cobots taught us manipulation, quadrupeds taught us stability. Humanoids are the natural next step that combines all these into a single, general-purpose machine,” CEO Sangeet Kumar said.

Addverb has already shown its Elixis-W wheeled humanoid and Trakr quadruped at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Early plans target about 100 humanoid units over the next year for five to six pilot customers. The firm has also partnered with India’s defence research arm on robotics use cases.

Can Addverb Really Take On China?

Addverb estimates it sits just outside the world’s top 30 robotics firms by revenue today, and wants a top-10 spot within five years. That means growing roughly 5x while still chasing net profitability.

Player Home Base Edge
Addverb India Low-cost manufacturing, Reliance network
Unitree China State subsidies, dense supply chain
Tesla Optimus United States Brand, deep capital, AI stack

Chinese rivals enjoy government subsidies and a tight supply chain that India cannot yet match. What makes Addverb different is its mix of cheap Indian production and a captive Reliance demand base across grocery, fashion, and petrochemicals.

What’s Next

Watch for Addverb to confirm the lead investor and final round size in the coming months. Kumar has flagged a possible stock market debut within a few years, so a clear path to profitability by the fiscal year ending March 2027 will matter most. Can an India-born robot maker really crack the global top 10, or will China’s cost edge prove too steep?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Addverb raising in its new funding round?
+

Addverb Technologies is seeking to raise more than $100 Mn (Rs 836 Cr). CEO Sangeet Kumar confirmed the target to Bloomberg. It is the firm’s first major raise since Reliance invested $132 Mn for a controlling stake in 2021. Final terms are not yet public.

What does Addverb Technologies do?
+

Addverb Technologies builds robots for warehouses and factories. Its machines handle sorting, material movement, and inventory tasks for logistics and electronics firms. Founded in 2016 in Noida, it now sells across two dozen countries and is expanding into humanoid and quadruped robots.

What will Addverb spend the new funds on?
+

Addverb will fund humanoid and quadruped robot development, AI model training, and data infrastructure. A key goal is launching its own lidar sensors to reduce reliance on imported parts. The spending supports global expansion and the firm’s push into physical AI.

Who owns Addverb Technologies?
+

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries owns roughly 54% of Addverb Technologies. It bought that controlling stake in 2021 for $132 Mn (Rs 984 Cr). Addverb’s founders and employees together hold about 20%. The company still operates independently under co-founder and CEO Sangeet Kumar.

Which robotics companies does Addverb compete with?
+

Addverb competes with China’s Unitree Robotics and Tesla’s Optimus in the humanoid race. CEO Sangeet Kumar says the firm aims to fight players from China, Japan, and the US. Addverb estimates it ranks just outside the global top 30 robotics firms today.

Last updated: June 11, 2026 at 14:30 IST

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. StartupFeed and its authors are not SEBI-registered investment advisors. The analysis above is based on publicly available information and should not be the sole basis for any investment decision. Please consult a SEBI-registered financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Written by Avinash. Published: June 11, 2026. Updated: June 11, 2026. Have a tip? Write to us at editorial@startupfeed.in.

Follow:
Avinash is a dedicated MBA professional with expertise in business operations, team management, and AI-driven content development. Backed by global certifications and published HR research, he leverages innovation and strategic management to drive organizational success.