********************Physical AI mega-seeds explode: Humans& $480M, Periodic $300M, Merge $252M; Foundry adds********************
Key Questions
What are the largest physical AI funding rounds highlighted?
Humans& raised $480 million at a $4.5 billion valuation for human-relations FM. Periodic raised $300 million for materials science, and Merge Labs raised $252 million backed by Sam Altman for BCI.
What is Foundry Robotics' funding and focus?
Foundry Robotics raised $13.5 million in seed funding. It develops Zero Shot AI factory bots, reinforcing the physical AI infrastructure trend.
How does Alcatraz fit into the physical AI trend?
Alcatraz raised $50 million in a Series B for AI facial authentication in physical security. This supports enterprise scaling in the physical-world AI space.
What validates the physical AI funding frenzy?
Over 27 seeds exceeding $100 million since 2025 highlight a neo-labs and infra frenzy. This compares to AMI/Unconventional trends, as spotlighted by Crunchbase and BEAMSTART.
What recent VC trends support physical AI deals?
U.S. venture dealmaking and exit values hit all-time highs in Q1, driven by massive AI deals. OpenAI alums are also investing via a new $100 million fund.
Crunchbase/BEAMSTART spotlight physical-world AI jumbos: Humans& $480M/$4.5B human-relations FM, Periodic $300M materials sci, Merge Labs $252M Altman BCI (2026-03/04). Alcatraz $50M Series B AI facial auth physical security adds enterprise scaling; Foundry Robotics $13.5M seed (Zero Shot AI factory bots) reinforces; 27+ $100M+ seeds since '25 validate neo-labs/infra frenzy comp to AMI/Unconventional.