Zeroth, a Chinese humanoid-robot maker tied to Suzhou JoyIn Intelligent Technology, raised $74 million in pre-Series A funding on July 8, 2026, in a round led by Ant Group. Geely Capital, 37 Interactive Entertainment, Hua Capital and existing investor Monolith also took part, bringing the company's total funding to roughly $147 million.
What separates the round from the run of nine-figure Chinese robotics deals this year is where Zeroth is pointing. Its product line — the M1 small humanoid, the full-size Jupiter, the W1 tracked robot and the N1 home companion — is aimed at living rooms, not loading docks. The company describes its robots less as tools than as "intelligent mirrors" for companionship, with early applications spanning childhood education, smart-home control and pet-like presence.
Most humanoid money has chased the warehouse. Zeroth's pitch, and Ant Group's cheque, point the other way — at the home. — EW analysis
The order book is the argument
Consumer robotics has a long history of demos that never converted to demand, so the number that matters here is not the raise but the traction behind it. Zeroth reports more than 30,000 orders and 600% revenue growth in the first half of 2026, and says it has begun entering the U.S. market. Those figures are self-reported and worth treating as directional, but they are the kind of commercial signal — repeat, priced demand — that home-robot ventures have historically lacked. A strategic backer like Ant Group underwriting that thesis is itself a data point about where Chinese capital sees the next consumer platform.
Key Facts
- $74M pre-Series A announced July 8, 2026; total funding about $147M
- Led by Ant Group; Geely Capital, 37 Interactive Entertainment, Hua Capital and Monolith participating
- Product line: M1 and Jupiter humanoids, W1 tracked robot, N1 home companion
- Reports 30,000+ orders and 600% first-half revenue growth; entering the U.S. market
Why it matters
The humanoid field has largely agreed that the first paying customers are industrial. Zeroth is a well-funded dissent from that consensus, and the round gives the home-robot thesis its most credible balance sheet yet in China. Whether companionship robots can hold margins and avoid the novelty cliff is unproven — but with a strategic lead investor and a real order book, Zeroth has moved the question from "will anyone buy one?" to "how many will re-buy?"
Frequently Asked
How much did Zeroth raise, and who led it?
$74 million in pre-Series A, announced July 8, 2026, led by Ant Group with Geely Capital, 37 Interactive Entertainment, Hua Capital and Monolith participating. Total funding is about $147 million.
What does Zeroth build?
Home-oriented humanoids and embodied-AI systems — the M1 small humanoid, full-size Jupiter, W1 tracked robot and N1 companion — positioned around companionship rather than industrial work.
Why does the round stand out?
It backs the home, not the warehouse, and it comes with reported traction: 30,000-plus orders and 600% first-half revenue growth, plus a U.S. market entry.