- Investment appetite remains strong across frontier technologies, from commercial space and embodied AI to industrial automation
- Latest funding rounds underscore investors’ growing focus on companies commercializing deep-tech breakthroughs
Ruiqi Space raises $32 million to build AI-powered satellite constellation
Suzhou-based Ruiqi Space (瑞启深空) has raised 220 million yuan ($32 million) in angel funding to accelerate plans for an AI-powered Earth observation satellite constellation.
The round was backed by SND Ventures Group, Suzhou High-Tech Investment and Zhuopu Investment. The proceeds will fund satellite development and launches, ground systems and an early-stage data center.
Founded in March 2026, the startup aims to operate 426 AI-enabled remote sensing satellites by 2030 and expand the constellation to 2,800 satellites by 2040.
Rather than focusing solely on satellite manufacturing, Ruiqi Space plans to generate recurring revenue through AI-driven geospatial intelligence services, reflecting China’s growing push to commercialize space-based data.
ZK Siasun secures fresh funding for industrial humanoid robots
Industrial robotics company ZK Siasun (中科新松) has raised several hundred million yuan in a Series A+ round led by Aplus Fund and CDH Investment, with participation from China Chengtong Fund, Dazhong Juding Fund and Guangzhou Suyuan Investment.
The Shanghai-based company will use the proceeds to upgrade embodied AI technologies and expand commercial deployment.
Originally incubated by China’s robotics pioneer Siasun before being spun off in 2023, ZK Siasun develops humanoid robots, force-controlled robotic arms and core joint modules for industrial applications.
Its robots have been deployed in more than 5,000 manufacturing scenarios, including semiconductor fabrication, welding and assembly, as Chinese manufacturers increasingly automate complex production processes.
DeepCtrls closes Series B round to scale AI for industrial energy systems
Physical AI startup DeepCtrls (深度智控) has raised several hundred million yuan in a Series B financing round backed by strategic investor JinkoSolar and co-led by SDIC Fund and CMB International.
Existing investors including HongShan, Source Code Capital, Forebright Capital and China Merchants Venture also participated.
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Nanjing, DeepCtrls develops a physics-based AI engine that combines engineering principles with machine learning to optimize industrial energy systems.
Its software is already used by customers including TSMC, CXMT, ByteDance data centers and CATL, helping improve energy efficiency while reducing operating costs.
The company says revenue has more than doubled annually and it has reached profitability.
3Srobotics completes Series B round to expand AI welding robots
Industrial robotics startup 3Srobotics (昇视唯盛) has completed a Series B financing worth several hundred million yuan, led by Shanghai Semiconductor Industry Investment and Jinqiao Fund.
01VC, Xinding Capital and existing shareholder Welight Capital also injected funds into the Shanghai-based company.
The funding will be used to enhance its AI-powered welding platform, expand manufacturing capacity and strengthen customer support.
Founded in 2020, the company combines robot hardware, AI software and welding expertise to automate industrial welding. Its proprietary embodied AI model, trained on millions of production-line data points, enables robots to perceive their surroundings, plan welding paths and adjust parameters autonomously.
The technology has been adopted by customers including China Railway, Baosteel, State Grid, CRRC and SAIC. The company says revenue has grown 50% for three consecutive years.
Overseas expansion has also gained traction through a recently signed contract with HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding business worth tens of millions of yuan.
