Theker, a Barcelona-based robotics company developing artificial intelligence-powered robots for industrial environments, has raised €85 million in Series A funding. The round was led by CRV, with participation from a diverse group of strategic and financial investors including Samsung, LVMH, Cathay Innovation, 20VC, Henkel Ventures, Korelya, Bright Pixel Capital, Inditex, Kfund, and Kibo Ventures.
The capital injection brings Theker’s total funding to €103 million since its founding in 2022, positioning the startup as one of Spain’s more heavily backed robotics ventures in recent years.
Deployment-Ready Technology
Theker plans to deploy the fresh capital toward accelerating robotic deployments across industrial sectors, enhancing its core technology platform, and expanding its team across engineering and commercial functions. According to Carla Gómez Cano, the company’s leadership, the focus remains on practical implementation: “We built it to ship robots that work the day they arrive and continue improving every day after.”
The statement underscores Theker’s approach of delivering immediately functional robots rather than prototypical systems requiring extensive customization. The emphasis on continuous improvement through machine learning represents a shift in how industrial automation companies position their value proposition.
Strategic Backing From Corporates and VCs
The composition of Theker’s investor base reflects growing crossover between traditional industrial corporations and venture capital firms betting on robotics and automation. Samsung’s participation signals interest from consumer electronics and electronics manufacturing sectors, while LVMH’s involvement suggests applications within luxury goods production. Clothing retailer Inditex and chemicals company Henkel Ventures point toward adoption across fashion and consumer goods manufacturing.
CRV’s lead role in the round demonstrates confidence from a venture firm with deep experience in infrastructure and automation technologies. The presence of Asia-focused vehicle Cathay Innovation alongside European specialists Korelya and Bright Pixel Capital illustrates the truly international character of modern Series A funding rounds in deep tech.
European Robotics Growth
Theker’s significant funding milestone comes amid broader momentum in European industrial robotics and automation. Spain has emerged as a secondary hub for robotics innovation beyond traditional centers in Germany and Switzerland, partly due to lower operational costs and growing talent migration from larger European tech markets.
The startup’s progress reflects investor appetite for companies addressing labor shortages and productivity challenges in European manufacturing at a time when reshoring and localization of supply chains have become strategic priorities for both governments and corporations.