Bengaluru-based robotics startup Mowito has raised $3 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Version One Ventures, with participation from All In Capital, Unisol, and iSeed. The round also saw contributions from angel investors including Thinking Machines Lab CTO Soumith Chintala and Foundry Robotics CEO Adarsh Kulkarni. The startup plans to use the capital to expand its presence in the United States and scale its operations in manufacturing sectors, according to inc42.com.
Founded in 2024 by Puru Rastogi and Adityanag Nagesh, Mowito develops AI models that operate standard industrial robot arms. Its physical AI technology enables robots to learn new tasks by observing operators on the factory floor, eliminating the need for traditional coding. The startup currently operates in Bengaluru and Detroit, serving customers in automotive and electronics manufacturing. CEO Puru Rastogi said the funding will accelerate their vision of robots learning like humans and support global expansion.
Mowito’s approach addresses a key challenge in industrial automation by simplifying robot programming through learning-based AI. This positions the startup in a competitive space alongside other robotics firms focusing on manufacturing automation. The participation of notable investors and industry leaders highlights confidence in Mowito’s technology and growth potential. The startup’s deployment at manufacturing lines of a Fortune 500 company underscores its traction in the sector.
Mowito will deploy the fresh capital to strengthen its engineering and go-to-market teams, scale deployments across automotive and electronics manufacturers, and advance its physical AI platform. The company currently supports manufacturing operations in Bengaluru and Detroit, with plans to expand further in the United States, inc42.com reported.