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May 19 2025
2Houston-based startup Persona AI Inc. has announced the successful close of a $27 million pre-seed funding round to advance its development of humanoid robots for use in shipbuilding and manufacturing. The funding round, which was oversubscribed, will support the rapid scaling of the company’s technology and commercial operations.
Founded in 2024 by a team of industry veterans, Persona AI is focusing on developing humanoid robots that blend industrial-level precision with human-like dexterity. The goal is to tackle physically intensive tasks in environments such as shipyards, where labor shortages and safety concerns are pressing challenges.
The leadership team brings significant experience to the venture. CEO Nic Radford previously founded Nauticus Robotics and spent 15 years at NASA, serving as principal investigator at the Dexterous Robotics Lab. Chief Technology Officer Jerry Pratt formerly held the same position at Figure AI, and Chief Operating Officer Jide Akinyode was Vice President of Engineering at Nauticus Robotics.
Persona AI is positioning its humanoid platform as a solution to both workforce shortages and workplace hazards, promising improved efficiency and resilience in global industrial supply chains. The company also plans to operate under a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model, enabling clients to access advanced robotics without heavy upfront costs.
Radford expressed gratitude for the investors' support, stating, “We’re deeply grateful to our investors, not just for capital, but for their conviction in a bold vision. These partners understand the scale and transformative potential of humanoid robot labor. This level of commitment reflects the magnitude of the opportunity and a trust in what we’re pursuing, which we don’t take lightly.”
The funding round was co-led by Unity Growth and Tides Ventures, with participation from a broad range of investors including Mirae Asset Group, Invicta Growth, Fathom Fund, Embedded Ventures, Wave Function Ventures, Zero Infinity Partners, dConstruct Technologies, Goose Capital, SGH, Sound Media Ventures, Kalea Ventures, K50 Ventures, Cofounder Ventures, Tola Capital, SGA Capital, Olive Hill Ventures, and K2 Global.
Shankar Gupta Boddu, general partner at Unity Growth, highlighted Persona’s distinctive focus, saying, “In the field of humanoid robotics, Persona stands out for tackling the most challenging problems in industrial labor. Their mission goes beyond automation; they’re working towards building a safer and more efficient workplace.”
Setting itself apart from other humanoid robot developers focused on logistics or automotive applications, Persona AI has secured an agreement with HD Hyundai to deploy its robots in shipyard environments. The initial units are expected to be delivered within the next 18 months.
While Persona AI is not alone in the humanoid robotics race, its niche focus distinguishes it. Competitors such as Agility Robotics and Figure AI are also making strides. Last year, GXO deployed Agility’s Digit robots at a Spanx warehouse in Georgia, and Schaeffler AG invested in Agility, planning to integrate its robots globally. Meanwhile, Figure AI has reportedly started shipping its Figure 02 model, which BMW tested on an automotive line in South Carolina.
Boston Dynamics, owned by Hyundai, is also preparing to roll out its Atlas humanoid within its automotive production facilities.
Market outlooks remain mixed. Analysts at Morgan Stanley estimate the U.S. market for humanoid robot labor could soar to $3 trillion, fueled by breakthroughs in AI and rising demand for intelligent automation. However, Interact Analysis forecasts more cautious growth, projecting over 40,000 units deployed by 2032, generating about $2 billion in total revenue.
Despite differing projections, Persona AI’s entry with solid backing and a targeted strategy marks a notable development in the evolving landscape of humanoid robotics.
Source:https://www.therobotreport.com/persona-ai-raises-27m-develops-purpose-built-humanoid-robots-shipyards/
This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong.
