The company revealed the news on June 12, confirming that returning angel investors Sam Altman and Max Altman participated in the round. Other notable participants included Pelion Venture Partners and Offline Ventures. This latest funding brings Coco Robotics’ total raised to over US$120 million, adding to the US$36 million Series A round it closed in 2021.
You may have seen Coco’s signature robots rolling down sidewalks in urban areas since they first launched in 2020. These zero-emission delivery bots are built to carry up to 90 litres of groceries or other goods. Since hitting the streets, they’ve completed more than 500,000 deliveries.
How Coco’s robots are changing local delivery
If you order from popular chains like Subway, Wingstop, or Jack in the Box, your food might arrive via a Coco robot. The company partners with national retailers to provide fast, eco-friendly delivery, mainly in dense city areas where traffic and emissions are ongoing concerns.
The appeal of Coco’s robots lies not just in speed or novelty but in their environmental impact. They produce zero emissions and are designed to reduce the carbon footprint of everyday deliveries. For retailers, this offers a way to meet customer expectations for quick service while supporting green initiatives.
The 90-litre cargo capacity also makes these robots practical for a range of goods—not just takeaway meals. As demand grows for sustainable delivery solutions, Coco hopes its technology will become common in cities across the U.S.
A deeper link with OpenAI
Coco’s backers include some familiar names in the tech world, particularly Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. He’s not only investing personally but is also part of a larger strategic move that benefits OpenAI.
In March, Coco announced a partnership with OpenAI. Through this deal, Coco uses OpenAI’s tools to support its robotics operations, while OpenAI gains access to valuable real-world data gathered by Coco’s delivery bots. This data helps OpenAI train and refine its AI models using insights from actual street-level interactions—something that’s difficult to replicate in lab environments.
In essence, while Coco gets smart AI tools to improve its technology, OpenAI gets a live feed of practical data, helping the two companies collaborate in the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence and robotics.
Founders with a vision for the future
Coco Robotics was founded in 2020 by Brad Squicciarini and Zach Rash, who wanted to make urban delivery more efficient and environmentally friendly. In just four years, they’ve helped steer the company through rapid growth and major investment rounds, all while refining a product that is becoming a practical part of city life.
With the new US$80 million in funding, Coco is expected to scale its operations further, expand to new cities, and invest more in its technology. The company hasn’t shared details on where the funds will go first, but the momentum suggests more robots will be on the roads soon.
