Theker lands $85M to build a factory robot that does it all.

While humanoid robots are not yet prepared to fully replace factory workers, the manufacturing sector faces pressing labor shortages and is actively seeking rapid automation solutions without the usual compromises. This urgent demand has fueled a significant interest in innovative startups promising efficient robotic integration.

This market need is precisely what Theker, an AI robotics startup, aims to address by developing systems that transcend single-task specialization. As co-founder Carla Gómez Cano explained to TechCrunch, “If you always have to put the same cookie in the same box, that works perfectly, but most processes aren’t like that.”

Theker's technology is engineered for this complex, real-world operational environment. Unlike fixed-form humanoid robots, such as those from Boston Dynamics, Theker's machines are designed for dynamic reconfiguration. Their modular hands, arms, and overall structure can be easily swapped or resized to suit diverse tasks, from sorting packages and packing clothing to handling bottles and cans within a warehouse setting.

The early backing from Inditex, the parent company of Zara, signals the initial scope of Theker's ambitions, rather than their ultimate limit. The company's strategic objective is to expand beyond retail logistics into more demanding industrial environments like heavy manufacturing, where manual tasks present even greater complexity and scale.

This broad, generalist vision has not only solidified Theker's reputation as one of Europe's most promising startups but has also attracted substantial capital. The Barcelona-based company recently secured $85 million in what it proudly announces as “Europe’s largest ever robotics Series A” — a claim that appears to be substantiated by available records.

This Series A round, which follows a record-breaking seed round less than a year prior, was spearheaded by American VC firm CRV. It also saw participation from a robust mix of traditional and strategic investors, including Samsung and Aglaé Ventures, the investment vehicle associated with LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault.

Gómez Cano confirmed that while Samsung is not yet a client, advanced discussions are underway. Theker envisions a mutually beneficial "trifecta" relationship with the Korean conglomerate, ideally involving Samsung as a customer, supplier, and investor, which would provide the startup with both vital revenue and significant credibility in large-scale manufacturing.

She further emphasized that she and co-founder Jiaqiang Ye Zhu established Theker with a clear intent to move beyond mere pilot projects. Consequently, their team bypasses traditional innovation departments, engaging directly with logistics or operations divisions where concrete deals are forged and timelines are considerably shorter.

To showcase its operational capabilities, Theker maintains a dedicated showroom in central Barcelona and plans to establish additional facilities as it expands across Europe, the U.S., and Asia. This expansion will be supported by a significant increase in headcount across its technology, deployment, and sales departments.

“We already received 15,000 job applications and have to filter like crazy,” Gómez Cano remarked, highlighting the intense interest in joining the company. She initially projected the team could grow from dozens to approximately 120 people by year-end, then humorously paused, adding, “I am saying that, but I also said that we’d raise $30 or $40 million!”

The fact that Theker successfully raised double its initial funding target further validates the startup’s commitment to maintaining its headquarters in Barcelona, an emerging robotics hub, and leveraging the broader European tech ecosystem. Gómez Cano affirmed, “It has never been a barrier to acceleration for us, so we are making the most of it.”