Chinese Robotics Startup Zerith Secures Multi-Million Angel Funds
Chinese robotics startup Zerith, founded earlier this year by a team of recent Tsinghua University graduates, has rapidly secured tens of millions of US dollars in angel funding across three successive rounds. This significant capital injection is aimed at scaling up the production and commercial deployment of its humanoid robots, particularly focusing on the hospitality sector.
Zerith, established in January 2025, has quickly made a name for itself, with its founders being “post-00s” generation students from Tsinghua University’s artificial intelligence and robotics laboratory. Despite not being traditional “big shots” in the robotics or autonomous driving industries, the team has a strong academic background with notable achievements in robot manipulation and motion control, publishing in top robotics conferences and journals.
The funding rounds, including Angel+ and Angel++, saw participation from investors such as Baohe Venture Capital, Cowin Capital Group, Shenzhen Leaguer, Waterwood Asset Management, Mizuho Leaguer Investment, and Nanjing Ralph Entrepreneurship. The proceeds will be channeled into enhancing research and development of foundational algorithms for embodied intelligence in specialized scenarios, accelerating the implementation of embodied intelligence in commercial services, and expediting the construction of mass production factories. Zerith also plans to collaborate with industrial capital firms, government agencies, and ecosystem developers to establish a data hub for embodied intelligence.
Zerith has developed a comprehensive embodied intelligence solution, encompassing both hardware and software, along with a complete system for data training and commercial service scenarios. The company has already launched two robots, the Z1 and the H1, with a primary focus on commercial services in hotels and restaurants.
The Zerith H1, a humanoid robot designed specifically for the hospitality industry, has garnered considerable attention for its ability to autonomously perform demanding tasks such as cleaning hotel rooms, vacuuming floors, restocking amenities, and even scrubbing toilets. Equipped with flexible universal wheels and a height-adjustable body, the H1 can navigate tight corridors and operate on multiple vertical levels, making it adept at organizing items and performing precision work. Beyond cleaning, future iterations of the H1 are envisioned as on-demand assistants, capable of delivering towels, fetching water, or refreshing rooms. Zerith began gradual deliveries of the H1 in June 2025, with large-scale shipments expected to commence in August, aiming to deliver 500 robots this year. The company has already secured intention orders worth nearly CNY100 million (USD13.9 million).
This rapid advancement by Zerith aligns with a broader trend in China’s burgeoning humanoid robotics industry. The Chinese government has set ambitious goals to mass produce AI-powered humanoids by 2025 and lead the emerging market by 2027. Over 50 Chinese companies are actively developing humanoids, supported by a national investment plan of $138 billion. The market for humanoid robots in China is projected to reach approximately $380.3 million in 2024, growing to $1.4 billion by 2026 and $10.3 billion by 2029, potentially accounting for around 32.7 percent of the global market. By 2035, the market size in China is expected to reach $41.3 billion. This growth is further fueled by factors such as labor shortages and increasing demand for automation across various sectors.
Other notable Chinese robotics startups also spun out of Tsinghua University include Robot Era, which recently launched its next-generation full-sized humanoid robot, the ROBOTERA L7, capable of high-dynamic movement and fine manipulation. Robot Era has secured significant funding, with total publicized funding for 2024 and 2025 exceeding $125 million. The company has already shipped 200 humanoid robots in 2025 and has over a hundred orders in progress. The competitive landscape also includes companies like Unitree Robotics and AgiBot, which are making significant strides in humanoid robot development and commercial deployment.
The focus on practical, profitable use cases, rather than just general-purpose artificial general intelligence, marks a significant shift in the robotics industry, particularly in China. Government initiatives, such as the “Made in China 2025” plan and regional support from cities like Shanghai and Beijing, are actively promoting the development and adoption of humanoid robots.