Mecka AI, a startup that collects and analyses human motion data to train humanoid robots and other robotic systems, is nearing a new funding round led by Sequoia Capital at a valuation of around $500 million, according to two people familiar with the deal.
The potential financing comes just three months after Mecka AI announced a $60 million funding round led by Framework Ventures, with participation from Menlo Ventures, SV Angel, and Kindred Ventures. The latest round would mark a significant increase in the company’s valuation within a short period.
However, Mecka AI did not respond to a request for comment, while Sequoia Capital declined to comment.
Mecka AI was founded in 2024 by four entrepreneurs, including Canadians Josh Gao and Mogen Cheng, who previously built a restaurant fintech startup. Jason Chong, another co-founder, joined Coinbase after the company acquired his crypto exchange. Meanwhile, Duy Nguyen, the only non-Canadian member of the founding team, oversees operations at Mecka AI.
The company takes its name from “mecha”, a fictional giant robot controlled by humans. Mecka AI aims to replicate the role that companies such as Scale AI, Mercor, and Surge play in providing human-generated data for large language models. To achieve this, the startup pays people to record themselves performing everyday activities, such as making coffee and repairing cars, using body sensors and smartphones.
Additionally, Mecka AI had projected that it would reach an annual run rate of $100 million by the end of 2026. Josh Gao shared the projection with Fortune in early June when the company announced its previous funding round.
Although Mecka AI has not publicly revealed its customer list, numerous robotics companies and AI research labs use real-world data captured through its “egocentric” approach. In addition, robotics developers combine this type of physical data collection with methods such as teleoperation to train and improve their models.
