Gecko raises $125M amid global manufacturing and defense uncertainty

Gecko Robotics Thursday announced a $125 million Series D. The round, which features Cox Enterprises, and continuing investors USIT, XN, Founders Fund, and Y Combinator, values the AI and robotics firm at $1.25 million, officially pushing it past unicorn status. The raise also follows a $100 million Series C extension announced at the tail end of 2023.

These are unquestionably massive figures, particularly in light of the Pittsburgh company’s humble beginnings a dozen years back.

“Gecko was built out of my college dorm room, to what it is today,” says cofounder and CEO, Jake Loosarian. "The company ensuring the safety of public infrastructure, the optimization of energy and manufacturing facilities, and the modernization of allied militaries to deter global conflict.”

Manufacturing and military are both top of mind of late, as the U.S. enters a period of global uncertain. Gecko can already name check both the U.S. military and a number of Fortune 500 corporations among its customer base.

The firm’s tentpole offering is Cantilever, an AI platform that allows drones and robotics to collect and process data in the field. Along with defense and manufacturing, energy production has become a key vertical, as more providers look to automation in a bid to replace dangerous jobs.