Companion-robotics startup Tombot has closed a $7 million Series A3 financing round to scale manufacturing, operations and commercialization ahead of the planned fall 2026 launch of Jennie, its lifelike robotic Labrador puppy. The Santa Clarita, California company says it already holds more than 23,000 pre-orders and waitlist reservations for the product.
An emotional-support robot for an aging population
Jennie is engineered to look and respond like an 8- to 10-week-old Labrador puppy. The fully autonomous robot mimics the movements and sounds of a young dog to deliver the emotional benefits of animal companionship to older adults and people coping with anxiety, loneliness, autism, PTSD, dementia and mild cognitive impairment, without the responsibilities of caring for a live pet.
"This financing represents an important milestone as we transition from product development to commercial scale," founder and CEO Tom Stevens said in the announcement, adding that investors recognize "both the significant market opportunity and the positive social impact of companion robotics."
Healthcare-focused backers
The round drew investors rooted in healthcare delivery, senior living and long-term care: Caduceus Capital Partners, Wavemaker 360, the Lutheran Foundation for Long Term Living and Florida Community Health Network. The capital will fund manufacturing, operations and a successful market launch, along with a broader portfolio of emotional-support products.
Companion robots gain momentum
Tombot's raise lands amid a wave of investment in physical and companion AI. Recent moves include ASUS unveiling its Kairo agentic companion robot, the launch of the Pegasus–Cyberdyne physical AI fund, and surging humanoid funding such as Neura Robotics' $1.4 billion Series C.
Reporting based on coverage from AI Insider and Business Wire.