Agility Robotics Ready to Grow After New Investment

Agility Robotics, an Oregon State University spinoff that is developing two-legged robots that can walk and run, has racked up funding and accolades in recent months. In March, the Albany-based company announced $8 million in new investment. And on April 26th, they were recognized with a Small Business Innovation Award from the Portland Business Journal.

All of this momentum is fueling the next phase of growth for a company that wants to eventually be the world’s leading provider of robotic legged locomotion solutions.

Story of Success

Agility Robotics is solving the mobility problem faced by mobile robots, to allow machines to work with humans, for humans, and around humans. With applications in logistics and package delivery, in-home robots for telepresence and assistance, and real-time data collection and mapping of human and natural environments, robotic legged locomotion has the potential to transform the world — and Agility Robotics aims to lead that change.

The new, Series A round of financing led by Playground Global of Silicon Valley will allow Agility Robotics to grow from 8 to 26 engineers. And it gives them the time and resources to refine the technology, build corporate partnerships, and deliver demonstrations that highlight the promise of the technology.

“This funding will allow us to show the vision of what we can do as a company,” said CTO and co-founder Jonathan Hurst. “When people see what these machines will be able to do, that allows our company to take the next steps with investment and application in the market.”

Experience in the RAIN Corvallis/OSU Advantage Accelerator

It’s been four years since Agility Robotics participated in the second-ever Advantage Accelerator cohort. And while they still benefit from the ecosystem — whether it be a business referral, an employee recommendation, or just general awareness — the initial program continues to pay dividends.

“The most beneficial thing about being part of the Advantage Accelerator was having a physical place to go to ask questions, learn the business language, and figure out how to start. It was really important to talk with people who don’t care as much about the technology as the business, and to hear their feedback and advice,” said Hurst.  

What’s Next

Agility Robotics aspires to work with the world’s largest and most recognizable organizations to meet giant market opportunities.

“We’re not looking to be a 25-person company that makes a couple of robots a year. We want to make thousands of robots that deliver packages or map dangerous environments, like burn zones. In any of these applications, we want to provide the mobility solution for legged locomotion,” he said.