Serve Robotics closes $13 million funding round

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Serve Robotics’ sidewalk delivery robots will begin delivering with Uber in early 2022. | Photo Credit: Serve Robotics

Serve Robotics, a spin-off of the robotics division at Postmates, brought in $13 million in expanded seed funding.

Serve plans to use the funding to further push the company towards commercial scale, expand its fleet of robots, grow geographically and further develop products. The company creates autonomous sidewalk delivery robots. Its robots have completed tens of thousands of deliveries in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The funding came from a range of investors, including Uber Technologies, Wavemaker Labs, DX Ventures and 7-Eleven’s corporate venture arm, 7-Ventures. Existing investors, like Neo, Western Technology Investment and Scott Banister, also participated in this round of funding.

“Serve Robotics is pleased to have the backing of strong strategic partners able to support our intention to provide sustainable, self-driving delivery at scale,” said Dr. Ali Kashani, Co-founder and CEO of Serve Robotics. “This initial round of financial and strategic support will allow us to continue advancing our technology, growing our team, and expanding our partnership platform.”

Serve Robotics was founded in 2017 as the robotics division of Postmates. In February 2021, it became an independent company. Postmates is now owned by Uber. Uber made the acquisition to bolster its own delivery service Uber Eats.

Los Angeles get ready! @ServeRobotics x @UberEats coming next year pic.twitter.com/nXntRv3ETa

— Serve Robotics (@ServeRobotics) November 12, 2021

In November, Serve announced a deal with Uber to deliver food in Los Angeles. Serve robots will begin deliveries early 2022. Uber is Serve’s first commercial partner.

Serve’s sidewalk robots carry up to 50 lbs for 25 miles on a single charge. Items in the cargo compartment are secured and unlocked with a phone app or a passcode.