Chinese robotics star Agibot adds JD.com as investor, joining Tencent as Big Tech backer

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has recently become a shareholder in Tencent Holdings-backed robotics star AgiBot, as China’s robotics industry has become one of the most closely watched sectors this year among investors and tech giants.

AgiBot, also known as Zhiyuan Robotics, was established in 2023 by a founding team that included Huawei Technologies veterans and professors. The company recently added JD subsidiary JD Technology as a shareholder of its main entity, Shanghai Zhiyuan New Innovation Technology, according to a company record change on May 22 from registry information provider Aiqicha.

Another new shareholder is Shanghai Embodied Intelligence Venture Fund, formed just last month with backing from the Shanghai government.

AgiBot has set a record in total funding among its Chinese peers, according to a Thursday post by Shanghai State-owned Capital Investment, which owns the Shanghai Embodied Intelligence Venture Fund.

Following the investment, which saw each new shareholder take a 0.75 per cent stake in AgiBot, the Shanghai-based robotics start-up boosted its registered capital by 2.7 per cent to 82.6 million yuan (US$11 million), according to Aiqicha data.

It is not clear whether the start-up has launched a new funding round. Neither JD nor AgiBot immediately responded to requests for comment on Friday. Shanghai Embodied Intelligence Venture Fund could not be reached for comment.

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