Canada-based floor-cleaning robot producer Avidbots has received $23.6m in a series B round featuring industrial and appliance technology provider Siemens’ Next47 unit and electric utility KCPL.
Venture capital firm True Ventures led the round, which included SOSV, Real Ventures, GGV Capital, 500 Startups Canada and BDC Capital, the VC arm of the government-backed Business Development Bank of Canada.
Founded in 2014, Avidbots has developed an automated flood scrubbing robot that is used to clean large commercial spaces in locations such as airports, warehouses, shopping centres and universities.
The robot, Neo, uses artificial intelligence technology to learn and adapt to layouts, with in-built 3D sensors and cameras enabling the machines to avoid obstacles. Avidbots will use the series B capital to expand its talent acquisition, engineering, sales and marketing teams.
Faizan Sheikh, Avidbots’ co-founder and CEO, said: “With strong worldwide demand for our Neo industrial cleaning robot, Avidbots has been growing at a tremendous pace, and we are excited to announce the financial support of world-class investors such as True Ventures, Next47 and GGV Capital as we enter into our next phase of expansion.”
The company has not disclosed details of any previous funding but described True Ventures, GGV Capital, SOSV, Real Ventures, 500 Startups Canada, Felicis Ventures and Golden Ventures as existing investors. Its earlier backers also include accelerator operator Hax.