Samsung backs industrial robotics startup Theker in €85m round

Reports from Sifted (Financial Times) indicate that theker, the Spanish startup building AI-powered robots for industrial settings, has raised an €85m Series A. Theker, the Spanish startup building AI-powered robots for industrial settings, has raised an €85m Series A.The round was led by US investor CRV and included participation from South Korean manufacturing giant Samsung and French luxury retail group LVMH.  Cathay Innovation, 20VC, Henkel Ventures, Korelya and Bright Pixel Capital also backed the fundraise, in addition to historical investors including Spanish retailer Inditex and VCs Kfund and Kibo Ventures.AdvertisementIt comes less than a year after Theker bagged €18m, one of the largest ever seed rounds raised in Spain.  The robotics sector is heating up in Europe, with startups in the space raising €1.5bn in 2025, according to Sifted data, twice as much as the previous year (€761m).Key players involved: Samsung, industrial robotics startup Theker in This development has significant implications for Industrial, potentially influencing competitive dynamics, investment patterns, and strategic priorities across the sector. Barcelona, where Theker is HQ’d, is emerging as a hotspot for European robotics startups, with four deals in the space tracked by Sifted since the start of 2025.  What does Theker do?Industrial environments are characterised by changing and unpredictable conditions, a major obstacle to the deployment of conventional robots, which are typically programmed for pre-defined, specific tasks. Market ImplicationsForward-Looking IndicatorsContinued consolidation expected in the sectorIncreasing focus on digital transformation and innovationGrowing importance of ESG considerations Expert Commentary Looking AheadFor complete details on this development, refer to the original report from Sifted (Financial Times). Frequently Asked Questions