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Following the completion of its Series B and Series C funding rounds, Figure AI remains privately held, with no plans for a public offering announced. However, its ambitious vision of combining artificial intelligence with advanced humanoid robotics has attracted significant investor interest.
Figure AI’s ambitious vision to combine AI with advanced humanoid robotics is attracting significant interest from investors. A climbing valuation and notable commercial partnerships have helped Figure become a high-profile private robotics company.
Although Figure AI hasn’t yet announced plans to go public, speculation about a future initial public offering (IPO) continues to grow. For investors, it’s not just a question of whether Figure will make a stock market debut. It’s whether the company can commercialise and scale its technology to become a profitable entity.
So, who exactly is Figure AI and why are investors monitoring the company’s movements? Read on to learn about Figure and its business model, why a jump in valuation has piqued the interest of investors, and whether a potential Figure AI IPO is on the horizon.
Founded in 2022, Figure AI combines robotics hardware with advanced AI to build humanoid robots. Its Figure 03 robots are capable of understanding instructions and performing practical tasks, such as walking, climbing stairs, manipulating objects, and doing household chores.
Figure’s long-term vision is to develop robots that can carry out repetitive tasks, or jobs that are physically demanding or hazardous in manufacturing, warehousing, retail, and healthcare environments. All while interacting safely alongside humans.
Figure has also demonstrated potential domestic applications. In company-published demonstrations, its humanoid robots have completed tasks such as folding laundry, loading a dishwasher, watering plants, and making beds. With further development, these robots could eventually assist households with even more everyday tasks. Figure has also identified household assistance and support for older people as possible long-term applications, although these uses remain at an early stage.
Figure claims its Helix AI system is continually learning and improving as it acquires new skills to use in both commercial and residential settings. The company also expects to enhance its humanoid robots’ capabilities through software updates rather than relying on new hardware generations.
Figure has become a high-profile company in the humanoid robotics sector, supported by published technology demonstrations, commercial partnerships, and investment from several established technology companies and private investors.
An ageing global population is contributing to a global labour shortage, especially in developed countries. With a smaller pool of working-age people to recruit from, industries such as manufacturing, automotive, and construction may face rising wage costs and difficulty finding workers capable of carrying out physically demanding or monotonous jobs.
The healthcare industry could also face increasing pressure as it struggles to recruit professionals with the skills to care for a growing elderly population. Currently, many developed countries rely on immigration and workers from developing nations to solve their labour shortage.
However, some investors believe Figure could provide the solution. The company aims to transform industrial and commercial operations by designing robots that can work in factories and facilities already set up for human workers.
Humanoid robots could help automate tasks without businesses having to redesign existing workspaces.
Figure has attracted investment from technology companies and private investors including Microsoft, NVIDIA, Intel, and entities associated with Jeff Bezos. Having support from high-profile backers demonstrates investor interest in the company’s future standing in the commercial robotics industry.
Advances in large language models, machine learning, and computer vision have allowed Figure to improve its robots’ ability to understand environments and respond to human instructions.
Figure 03 incorporates updated hardware and software designed to improve visual awareness, movement in confined spaces, and object manipulation. Figure has demonstrated these capabilities in selected controlled and industrial settings.
Investors are monitoring whether these technical developments can translate into reliable, scalable, and commercially viable deployments.
A collaboration with BMW saw Figure 02 robots employed on the car giant’s assembly lines. Working alongside humans, the F.02 contributed to the production of 30,000 vehicles in 2025.
In June 2026, BMW and Figure showcased the next-generation F.03 at the car manufacturer’s Spartanburg plant. During the event, the humanoid robots demonstrated their ability to co-ordinate their limbs to pick out and manipulate specific vehicle parts — not simply carrying out the same task over and over. During the demonstration, Figure 03 repositioned its body to pull a loaded cart.
In May 2026, Figure livestreamed a demonstration in which Figure 03 robots operated on a sorting line for more than 24 hours.
Commercial viability may still depend on reliability, unit economics, safety, demand, and the ability to manufacture at scale. However, these demonstrations in industrial environments allow investors to see the rapid progress of humanoid robotics and the potential for Figure’s commercial viability in the near future.
Figure AI is more than just a manufacturer of humanoid robots. While the company is currently focused on developing, manufacturing, and deploying its robots to commercial customers, it also has the potential to generate revenue from multiple sources.
Current and disclosed revenue sources include:
If Figure achieves wider commercial deployment, possible future revenue models could include:
Software and service revenue are of particular interest to investors. Rather than relying on hardware sales, Figure could generate income through software updates, maintenance, and support services throughout a robot’s lifespan.
This business model resembles software-as-a-service (SaaS), which may influence how investors assess the company. While Figure would still carry hardware and manufacturing economics, the service side of the business could provide a more predictable recurring income.
Although Figure was founded relatively recently, its funding rounds, partnerships, and published demonstrations have raised its profile within the humanoid robotics sector.
However, there are a number of notable competitors, including:
Although every company shares the goal of developing robots for commercial use, their approaches are slightly different.
Figure differentiates itself by focusing on general-purpose robots, capable of working across multiple industries rather than building machines designed for just one task.
The company has also invested heavily in developing proprietary AI systems that allow its humanoid robots to understand spoken instructions and adapt to changing environments. Although this may help differentiate Figure, its competitive advantage will depend on real-world performance, reliability, cost, and scalability.
Figure AI has experienced a rapid increase in both funding and valuation since its founding in 2022.
Early 2024 saw the company raise around USD 675 million in funding at a USD 2.6 billion valuation.
Fast forward to September 2025, and it announced a Series C funding round to help accelerate manufacturing and scale production of its humanoid robots. The round secured more than USD 1 billion, pushing its valuation to approximately USD 39 billion.
This dramatic increase in valuation reflects growing investor enthusiasm in AI and robotics.
However, it also means expectations are exceptionally high. Private investors are effectively pricing Figure as a high-profile AI company, even though large-scale commercial deployment and financial performance remain uncertain.
Sam Altman has acknowledged concerns about AI market exuberance. Compared to SpaceX, OpenAI’s valuation relies on software adoption, compute scale, enterprise usage, and future margins. SpaceX, on the other hand, has hardware, launch contracts, and Starlink revenue.
OpenAI’s use of volume-based billing has allowed it to scale revenue alongside growing demand and customer adoption. Still, current excitement around AI has drawn comparisons with the dot-com era. There is a substantial wave of expectations around AI companies, and investor interest is high, as seen by the scale of AI-related investment, which reached $1.6 trillion in 2024, according to Reuters.
OpenAI’s mix of consumer, enterprise, API, and partnership revenue helps explain why investors have assigned it a high private market valuation. The company does not rely only on subscriptions from end-users; it also generates revenue through business licensing, API usage, enterprise products, and strategic partnerships.
Investors should also consider the challenges the company has faced. Reports around Sora highlight the cost and adoption challenges involved in scaling advanced AI products. For investors, this underlines one of the key risks facing OpenAI: maintaining product innovation while managing high compute and infrastructure costs.
Reports from Yahoo Finance have also linked Sora-related changes to Disney’s planned $1 billion investment/partnership, which was reportedly abandoned after the Sora shutdown.
Any shift in Sora’s strategy may allow OpenAI to allocate more resources and compute capacity to its core business of providing AI-powered tools and workflows to end-users and business customers.
OpenAI’s revenue has continued to grow, reaching a reported $13.1 billion in 2025. However, cash burn may still raise questions for more cautious investors.
Still, revenue momentum remains an important factor for investors to monitor ahead of any potential OpenAI IPO. The company is still reportedly operating at a loss, but even SpaceX, with an over $1 trillion valuation, is still operating at a loss as well.
For many investors, the presence of major backers such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia may support confidence in the company. This backing could be important if OpenAI moves closer to a public listing.
ChatGPT was widely reported as one of the fastest-growing consumer applications to reach 100 million users. And in May 2026, it reached 1 billion active monthly users.
The latest funding rounds have given the company additional capital to expand its AI infrastructure globally across ChatGPT, API access, and enterprise products.
Some of the company’s latest developments include:
For now, investor sentiment remains divided. Some investors may compare OpenAI with SpaceX as another high-profile private company testing public-market appetite for very large growth valuations. Others remain cautious about the unrealized promises and high costs across the AI industry. Both views make the IPO an important watch point for the technology market.
As of July 2026, Figure hasn’t announced any plans to go public and remains privately held. There is no official IPO filing, listing date, or confirmed exchange.
While speculation of a Figure AI IPO is high, several factors could influence the possibility or timing of any future market debut.
Figure has reached a multi-billion-dollar valuation, something typically associated with IPO candidates.
After several funding rounds, Figure’s institutional investors, such as venture capital firms, private equity firms, and large investment funds, may seek liquidity over time. Although the timing and preferred exit route of early investors are unknown, an IPO could provide a way for them to sell shares and realise a return on their investment.
Continued research and the scaling of Figure’s manufacturing may require substantial additional capital. An IPO could help generate additional funding. Remaining private may also offer advantages. Figure can continue refining its technology without the pressure of meeting quarterly earnings expectations. Until the company officially files confidential or public IPO paperwork, any public listing timeline is purely speculative.
Despite the hype surrounding Figure, there are several risks that investors should consider.
Putting on impressive demonstrations is one thing. Deploying thousands of robots across the world and making a profit is another. Any commercial customer will want to see a clear return on investment before introducing humanoid robots into their workforce.
Manufacturing humanoid robots at scale is expensive and technically complex. Many hardware startups encounter delays, quality issues, and higher-than-expected production costs.
With Tesla, Boston Dynamics, Agility Robotics, and others continuing to invest heavily in robotics, competition in humanoid and industrial robotics is increasing. Who will dominate the sector is not yet known, and there’s no guarantee that the market leader will be Figure AI.
A private market valuation of USD 39 billion means future expectations are already high. Investors may expect Figure to achieve rapid revenue growth, successfully scale production, and increase its commercial client base to justify the valuation over time. If revenue growth or customer uptake is disappointing, potential investors may question the $39 billion valuation.
Automatons operating alongside people pose new workplace safety, liability, and regulatory issues. Companies and industry authorities must address these issues before humanoid robots are more widely deployed.
If Figure AI eventually files for an IPO, investors should focus on the underlying business rather than listening to the media hype that’s likely to surround the listing.
Revenue growth is likely to be one of the most important factors to consider. Investors will want to understand whether Figure generates substantial commercial sales or whether it remains largely dependent on venture capital funding.
Another factor is the number of robots the company can realistically manufacture each year, and whether there’s enough demand to support expansion.
Profitability may still be years away for Figure. Investors should consider paying close attention to cash flow, operating losses and capital requirements.
Comparing Figure’s progress with its rivals could help investors assess whether the company maintains an industry advantage.
Valuation matters. Even an attractive business can still be a poor investment at an excessively high offer valuation. If and when it’s published, Figure AI’s IPO prospectus should provide the clearest picture of the company’s financial performance, operating strategy, and long-term growth plans.
Figure has attracted investor and industry attention through its funding rounds, commercial partnerships, and development of humanoid robots. If the company files for an IPO, a potential listing may attract significant interest because of its private-market valuation and the wider focus on AI and robotics.
However, Figure remains an early-stage private company operating in a technically and commercially challenging sector. Key questions include whether it can manufacture robots at scale, achieve reliable real-world performance, generate sustainable revenue, and justify its valuation.
Until Figure publishes an IPO prospectus or more detailed financial information, investors have limited visibility into its revenue, costs, cash flow, and profitability. Any assessment of a future Figure IPO would therefore need to consider both the company’s technological development and the financial and operational risks associated with commercialising humanoid robotics.
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