Apptronik Secures $520m Series A-X as Tesla Rival, McClain’s Spouse Bets $50k–$100k
Tesla competitor Apptronik closed a $520m Series A-X extension, bringing total Series A to $935m, with new investors AT&T Ventures, John Deere, and Qatar Investment Authority joining existing backers Google and Mercedes-Benz. Michigan Rep. Lisa McClain’s spouse disclosed a $50k–$100k stake in the AI robotics startup on Jan. 12.
1. Apptronik’s $520m Series A-X Funding
Apptronik announced a $520 million extension of its Series A funding on Jan. 12, bringing total commitments to over $935 million. New participants include AT&T Ventures, John Deere, and the Qatar Investment Authority alongside existing backers Google and Mercedes-Benz, funding ramp-up of its Apollo humanoid robot.
2. Competition with Tesla’s Optimus
The Apollo robot is slated for a 2026 debut, positioning Apptronik as a direct challenger to Tesla’s Optimus, which aims for initial deliveries in 2026 and full-scale production by 2027. The fresh capital could accelerate Apptronik’s time to market and intensify competition in industrial and commercial robotics.
3. Lawmaker’s Stake Disclosure
Michigan Representative Lisa McClain filed a disclosure showing her spouse invested between $50,000 and $100,000 in Apptronik on Jan. 12. This follows an earlier investment in an AI startup and highlights scrutiny of lawmakers’ private-equity stakes in AI and robotics ventures.