Agile Robotics, the German industrial automation startup, is reportedly negotiating an $800 million funding round, with SoftBank considering a $300 million investment. The Munich-based company, founded in 2018 as a spinout from the German Aerospace Center, became Germany's first robotics unicorn in 2021 and now employs over 3,200 people across three continents.

The potential financing reflects growing investor enthusiasm for AI-powered robotics in industrial settings. European robotics funding surged 130% in 2025 compared to 2024, with startups raising €1.6 billion last year. Agile Robots joins a wave of European robotics firms attracting significant capital, including German rival Neura Robotics reportedly raising €1 billion.

SoftBank's rumored participation underscores Japan's continued interest in European automation technologies. The talks remain preliminary, with terms and final deal size subject to change. The fundraising comes amid global manufacturing companies accelerating automation adoption to address labor shortages and efficiency demands.