Foundation

Foundation

Develops humanoid robots for industrial automation

About Foundation

Simplify's Rating
Why Foundation is rated
C+
Rated C on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Robotics & Automation

Industrial & Manufacturing

AI & Machine Learning

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

Seed

Total Funding

$11M

Headquarters

San Francisco, California

Founded

2024

Overview

Foundation Robotics Labs develops humanoid robots specifically for the industrial automation sector, aiming to alleviate labor shortages in complex manufacturing environments. Their main product, the 'Phantom' robot, is engineered to work in demanding industrial settings, and the company has tested its capabilities in various sectors such as consumer goods, beverage, and glass production. Unlike many competitors, Foundation Robotics employs a hybrid AI approach combined with a 'physics-action model' that allows their robots to adapt to dynamic environments. The company's goal is to provide large-scale industrial clients with robotic solutions that automate tasks typically performed by human workers, thereby enhancing efficiency and productivity in industries facing significant labor challenges.

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Growing demand for automation in beverage and glass sectors aligns with Foundation's focus.
  • Robotics-as-a-Service model reduces upfront costs, appealing to large-scale industrial clients.
  • Industrial robotics market expected to grow at 10.35% CAGR from 2023 to 2028.

What critics are saying

  • Founder Sankaet Pathak's past bankruptcy may deter potential investors.
  • High competition in robotics sector could challenge Foundation's market position.
  • Technological challenges in humanoid robots may impact financial stability and timelines.

What makes Foundation unique

  • Foundation uses a unique 'physics-action model' for dynamic industrial environments.
  • The Phantom robot is designed for complex manufacturing settings, addressing labor shortages.
  • Foundation's hybrid AI approach enhances robot adaptability and efficiency in automation.

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Funding

Total Funding

$11M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

1 Rounds

Seed funding is usually the first official round after pre-seed, when a startup has a prototype or concept. It’s typically used to develop the product, test the market, and start building the team. Investors here are often angel investors or early-stage venture capitalists.
Seed Funding Comparison
Above Average

Industry standards

$3.3M
$2M
Netflix
$2.3M
Instacart
$3M
Robinhood
$11M
Foundation

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

↑ 12%

1 year growth

↓ -6%

2 year growth

↓ -6%
Yahoo Finance
May 8th, 2025
Foundation seeks $100M for humanoid robots

Ex-Synapse CEO Sankaet Pathak is reportedly seeking to raise $100 million for his new humanoid robotics startup, Foundation, at a $1 billion valuation. This comes after his previous company, Synapse, filed for bankruptcy in 2024, leaving tens of millions in consumer deposits unaccounted for. Foundation, which launched its humanoid robot Phantom earlier this year, previously raised $11 million in a pre-seed round. The startup aims to create robots for complex environments to address labor shortages.

The Robot Report
Oct 4th, 2024
Robotics Investments Near $1B In August

Listen to this articleSwiss-Mile raised $22M in August 2024 for its wheeled quadruped. Fifty producers of robots and robotics enabling technologies received funding in August 2024, pulling in a total of approximately $1 billion. This figure is on par with the $1.2 billion average The Robot Report has tracked each of the previous 12 months. Investment targeted to robotics companies for the first eight months of 2024 equals about $10.86 billion. You can follow The Robot Report‘s investment section here. The largest investments in August were secured by developers of autonomous driving technologies

TechCrunch
Aug 22nd, 2024
Founder of failed fintech Synapse says he's raised $11M for new robotics startup | TechCrunch

Tens of millions of customer dollars remain unaccounted for at his previous startup, fintech Synapse. But that’s not deterring Sankaet Pathak from forging

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