SoftBank, Nvidia Weigh Over $1B Skild AI Investment At $14B Valuation: Report

• Skild AI is reportedly drawing a major new investment as it builds universal software to power a wide range of robots.
• SoftBank’s broader AI push includes freeing up capital through its Nvidia stake sale and increasing commitments to OpenAI.
• Retail sentiment on Stocktwits has leaned bearish for both SFTBY and NVDA.

SoftBank Group (SFTBY) and Nvidia (NVDA) are reportedly advancing discussions to take part in a new Skild AI fundraising round that would exceed $1 billion and assign the robotics foundation-model developer a valuation of roughly $14 billion.

The figure represents a jump from the $4.7 billion valuation Skild received earlier this year, when it raised $500 million in a Series B round that included Nvidia, Samsung and LG’s venture arm, Reuters reported, citing sources and a term sheet.

Inside Skild’s Robotics Intelligence Platform

Skild, founded in 2023 by former Meta AI researchers and backed by Amazon and Lightspeed Venture Partners, builds universal AI software designed to serve as the “brain” for robots across multiple form factors. 

The company does not produce hardware, and instead trains large models on extensive datasets so robots can gain human-like perception and decision-making skills. Skild unveiled its first general-purpose model in July, saying it can adapt to tasks from warehouse logistics to household chores. 

The deal is reportedly expected to close before Christmas, and SoftBank was apparently impressed by Skild’s pilot-project performance. Skild previously raised $300 million at a $1.5 billion valuation in its Series A round from Jeff Bezos, SoftBank and Khosla Ventures.

Son’s AI Investment Strategy

The potential Skild deal aligns with Masayoshi Son’s push to accelerate SoftBank’s AI investments. Speaking in Tokyo last week, Son said he “was crying” when SoftBank sold its entire Nvidia stake for $5.83 billion, insisting the shares were sold only because the company needed capital for OpenAI and new data-center projects. Son said “I don’t want to sell a single share,” according to a CNBC report.

SoftBank’s AI positions have supported strong results: second-quarter net profit rose to 2.5 trillion yen ($16.6 billion), helped by valuation gains in OpenAI. Son has said SoftBank is “all in” on OpenAI and predicted the startup could eventually become the world’s most valuable company. He dismissed warnings of an AI bubble, arguing that critics “are not smart enough,” and predicted that superintelligence and AI robots will eventually generate at least 10% of global GDP, CNBC noted.

Robotics As SoftBank’s Next Frontier

Robotics remains central to SoftBank’s strategy. In October, the company agreed to acquire ABB Group’s Zurich-based robotics business for $5.4 billion, targeting a revival of the 7,000-employee unit that generated $2.3 billion in 2024 revenue. The acquisition builds on SoftBank’s investments in AutoStore, Agile Robots and earlier Skild rounds, along with its longstanding SoftBank Robotics Group launched in 2014.

Son has described “physical AI” as the company’s next major focus. Meanwhile, U.S. policymakers are also paying closer attention. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has been meeting industry CEOs as the Trump administration weighs a robotics-focused executive order for next year, according to a Politico report.

Stocktwits Users Lean Bearish

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment for both SFTBY and NVDA was ‘bearish’ amid ‘low’ message volume.

So far this year, U.S.-listed shares of SFTBY are up 105%, while NVDA has gained 37%.

For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

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