Insider Brief
- Barcelona-based startup THEKER Robotics has raised $21 million in a seed round led by Kibo Ventures, marking the largest early-stage financing for a robotics company in Spain and one of the biggest in Europe, according to Mundi Ventures.
- THEKER’s proprietary robots, designed by founders Jiaqiang Ye Zhu and Carla Gómez Cano, use deep learning-based vision and control systems to adapt to complex industrial environments in real time without reprogramming, enabling cross-sector deployment from logistics to retail.
- Operating under a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model, THEKER plans to use the funding to scale production, expand its workforce, and establish Barcelona as a global robotics hub, building on existing deployments with clients like Inditex.
Barcelona-based startup THEKER Robotics has raised $21 million in a seed round. The funding round was led by Kibo Ventures and included contributions from Kfund, JME, Itnig, Mission, s16vc, and Mundi Ventures, the latter investing through a fund backed by Inditex. Additional backing came from individual investors and strategic partners, according to a statement from Mundi Ventures, which noted it was the largest early-stage financing for a robotics company in Spain and one of the biggest in Europe to date.
Founded by robotics engineers Jiaqiang Ye Zhu and Carla Gómez Cano, THEKER has developed a proprietary technology that allows its robots to adapt to complex industrial environments without the need for reprogramming. Unlike conventional robots that often require costly customization to function across different tasks, THEKER’s machines employ deep learning-based vision and control systems to adjust in real time. This flexibility enables the same robot model to operate efficiently in varied industries, from logistics and retail to waste management.
The company operates under a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) business model, providing automated solutions to clients without requiring large upfront investments in equipment. This approach aims to lower the traditional barriers that many companies face when adopting automation technology, especially in sectors where robotic deployment has previously proven difficult, according to Mundi Ventures. The technology has already attracted clients such as Inditex, which is deploying THEKER’s systems to automate critical tasks.
With the newly secured funding, THEKER plans to scale its production capabilities, expand its workforce, and accelerate its commercial rollout. The company also intends to establish Barcelona as a global center for robotics development. According to Mundi Ventures, THEKER’s emphasis on real-time adaptability and cross-sector usability aims to position it as a leading innovator in the industrial robotics space.
