SoftBank Group is in advanced negotiations to lead a $500 million funding round for Skild AI, a robotics software company developing general-purpose AI for robots, at a $4 billion valuation.
Founded in 2023 by Carnegie Mellon University professors Deepak Pathak and Abhinav Gupta, Skild AI has developed what it calls the "Skild Brain" - a scalable robotics foundation model that can adapt across different hardware and tasks. The company previously raised $300 million in July 2024 at a $1.5 billion valuation from investors including Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Coatue Management.
This investment aligns with SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son's aggressive AI strategy. In March 2025, SoftBank committed up to $40 billion to OpenAI at a $300 billion valuation, making it OpenAI's largest backer. Son recently declared SoftBank is "all in" on AI, with planned investments reaching approximately $33.2 billion in OpenAI alone.
The Skild AI deal reflects the growing investor enthusiasm for AI-robotics integration. The startup's technology aims to create adaptable robots that can function across various environments, from construction sites to factories and homes. Skild AI claims its foundation model can be modified for specific domains and use cases, potentially addressing labor shortages and performing hazardous jobs.
Beyond individual company investments, SoftBank is pursuing ambitious infrastructure projects. The company is involved in the $500 billion Stargate AI Infrastructure project and is reportedly considering a trillion-dollar industrial complex in Arizona focused on AI and robotics manufacturing, potentially in partnership with TSMC.
This latest funding round demonstrates that despite market fluctuations, investor confidence in AI breakthroughs and commercial applications remains exceptionally strong in mid-2025, with SoftBank positioning itself at the forefront of the AI revolution.