Persona AI has raised $27 million in pre-seed funding to build the future of humanoid robotics. The round was oversubscribed, showing strong investor belief in the company’s mission. Backed by over a dozen venture firms, Persona is now moving fast to deploy humanoid robots in heavy industries like shipbuilding and manufacturing.
Building Robots for Real Work
Founded in 2024 by robotics veterans Nic Radford, Jerry Pratt, and Jide Akinyode, Persona AI is tackling labor shortages head-on. Their robots are designed for tough jobs—think welding, lifting, or assembling parts—where human effort is stretched thin. These machines combine precise control with human-like movement, making them ideal for complex tasks in dangerous environments.
Unlike general-purpose robots, Persona builds its platform for specific high-demand use cases. The company’s business model is also different. Instead of asking customers to buy expensive hardware, it offers robots through a Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) subscription. This makes it easier for companies to adopt automation without large upfront costs.
Persona has already signed a major agreement with HD Hyundai, the world’s top shipbuilder. The first batch of robots will be delivered to their shipyards in the next 18 months. This partnership is a big step for industrial robotics and shows how urgently the market needs this tech.
A Market Ready to Explode
CEO Nic Radford said the funding is more than just money—it’s validation. “Our investors aren’t just backing a company,” he explained. “They believe in a new labor model, one built around intelligent, adaptable machines.”
The round was led by Unity Growth and Tides Ventures. Other participants include Mirae Asset Group, Invicta Growth, Embedded Ventures, and Wave Function Ventures, among many others. Their involvement highlights how quickly industrial AI is capturing investor interest.
Shankar Gupta Boddu, General Partner at Unity Growth, said Persona is solving real-world problems. “This goes beyond automation,” he noted. “They’re making work safer and smarter.”
Mike Loretz at Tides Ventures added that the team’s early traction is impressive. “Signing HD Hyundai is no small feat. Persona is showing what’s possible when deep tech meets urgent demand.”
According to Morgan Stanley, the U.S. market for humanoid robot labor could reach $3 trillion. As industries continue to struggle with workforce gaps, solutions like Persona’s are becoming essential.
With a strong team, real-world partnerships, and the backing of top VCs, Persona AI is poised to lead the next wave in intelligent industrial automation.
