Genesis AI Emerges with $105M to Revolutionize Robotics

Genesis AI, a startup aiming to develop a foundational model for robots, has emerged from stealth with a significant $105 million seed round co-led by Eclipse Ventures and Khosla Ventures. Founded in December 2023 by Zhou Xian, a robotics PhD from Carnegie Mellon University, and Théophile Gervet, a former research scientist at Mistral, the company seeks to automate repetitive tasks across various industries. The primary challenge in robotics AI lies in acquiring real-world data, which is both costly and time-consuming. Genesis AI addresses this by utilizing synthetic data generated through a proprietary physics engine. This engine, rooted in an academic project involving 18 universities, enables accurate modeling of the physical world. The startup has assembled a team of over 20 researchers specializing in robotics, machine learning, and graphics, many of whom were part of the initial academic collaboration. With offices in Silicon Valley and Paris, Genesis AI plans to release its model to the robotics community by year-end. Competitors like Physical Intelligence and Skild AI have raised substantial funds, but Genesis AI's approach using synthetic data offers a distinct advantage. Kanu Gulati of Khosla Ventures expressed confidence in their strategy, highlighting the potential of a general-purpose robotics model. Genesis AI's innovative approach and strategic vision position it as a key player in the evolving landscape of robotics and AI, poised to make significant contributions to the field.

Published: 7/1/2025