Gecko Robotics has reached unicorn status after securing a Series D round at a $1.25 billion valuation, doubling its previous valuation. The Pittsburgh-based AI and robotics company attracted new investor Cox Enterprises, with continued backing from USIT, XN, Founders Fund, and Y Combinator.
This latest funding round marks a significant milestone for Gecko, reflecting strong demand for its Cantilever Operating Platform. The company's technology is seeing rapid adoption across sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and defense—areas increasingly prioritized by both governments and large enterprises.
Gecko’s expansion aligns with a growing global focus on modernizing and maintaining aging infrastructure. Its recent partnerships with NAES, L3Harris, and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company underscore a broader trend toward AI-driven solutions in critical sectors.
“Gecko was built out of my college dorm room, to what it is today - the company ensuring the safety of public infrastructure, the optimization of energy and manufacturing facilities, and the modernization of allied militaries to deter global conflict,” said Jake Loosararian, Co-founder and CEO of Gecko Robotics.
The new capital will help Gecko scale its footprint in key markets, accelerate product development, and expand its defense and energy offerings. The company is also focused on growing its capabilities in Extended Reality and further automating infrastructure intelligence through AI.
Loosararian emphasized that Gecko's technology is built from the ground up to challenge conventional data reliability in the built environment. "Developing robots to diagnose built environments ensures our data and AI-powered software can transform and modernize physical infrastructure around the world."
Founded in 2016 by Loosararian, Gecko Robotics has grown into a leader in infrastructure intelligence. Its robots—capable of climbing, flying, and swimming—gather extensive data from complex structures including US Navy warships, C-130 aircraft, power plants, and pipelines.
The company’s platform, Cantilever, translates physical data into actionable insights, enabling users to reduce shutdowns, extend asset life, and increase operational efficiency. Gecko’s work spans clients ranging from the U.S. military to Fortune 100 companies.
In recognition of its growth and impact, Gecko has once again earned a spot on CNBC’s Disruptor 50 list.
Andrew Davis, SVP of Strategy and Investments at Cox Enterprises, stated, “Gecko’s AI platform represents the future of infrastructure intelligence, and we’re proud to support them at this critical stage of growth.”
Trae Stephens, Partner at Founders Fund, added, “Gecko Robotics is using AI to address an important, underappreciated challenge—the building and maintenance of critical infrastructure. This work is more safely and thoroughly performed by sensors and robots than humans.”
