Kodiak AI
About Kodiak AI
Kodiak AI is a Robotics startup based in Mountain View, California, United States that has raised $410M in venture capital across 5 funding rounds since 2018. The company reached Public stage in May 2026 with a $100M round led by Ares Management. Kodiak AI's investor base includes 10 institutional funds, with Battery Ventures leading the most recent equity round.
Kodiak AI (formerly Kodiak Robotics) is an AI-powered autonomous trucking company founded in 2018 by Don Burnette and Paz Eshel. The company develops the Kodiak Driver platform — a purpose-built AI ground autonomy solution deployed across commercial long-haul trucking, defense vehicles, and industrial equipment. Kodiak went public on Nasdaq (ticker: KDK) in September 2025 via merger with Ares Acquisition Corporation II at a ~$2.5 billion valuation. As of Q1 2026, the company operates 28 customer-owned driverless trucks with over 23,500 cumulative hours of paid autonomous operations and 15,600+ loads delivered. Customers include J.B. Hunt, Werner Enterprises, and Roehl Transport.
Kodiak AI Funding Rounds Timeline
5 rounds · $410M raised · since 2018
| Round | Date | Amount | Valuation | Lead investor | Co-investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIPE | May 2026 | $100M | — | Ares Management | — |
| PIPE | September 2025 | $145M | $2.5B | Ares Management | — |
| Grant | December 2022 | $50M | — | — | U.S. Department of Defense |
| Series B | November 2021 | $125M | — | — | Battery Ventures, CRV, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Harpoon Ventures, StepStone Group, SIP Global Partners, Muirwoods Ventures, Gopher Asset Management, Walleye Capital, Aliya Capital Partners, Bridgestone Americas |
| Series A | August 2018 | $40M | — | — | Battery Ventures, CRV, Bridgestone Americas, BMW i Ventures |
Investors in Kodiak AI
10 institutional investors across 5 rounds
Lead investors
Co-investors
Recent news about Kodiak AI
Questions about Kodiak AI
How much has Kodiak AI raised?
Kodiak AI has raised $410M across 5 funding rounds since 2018.
Who are the investors of Kodiak AI?
Kodiak AI's investors include Battery Ventures, CRV, Ares Management, Lightspeed Venture Partners, BMW i Ventures, StepStone Group, Harpoon Ventures, SIP Global Partners, Muirwoods Ventures, Bridgestone Americas.
When was Kodiak AI's last funding round?
Kodiak AI's most recent round was a $100M PIPE in May 2026, led by Ares Management.
What is Kodiak AI's valuation?
Kodiak AI reached a $2.5B valuation (unicorn status) with its PIPE round in May 2026.
Where is Kodiak AI headquartered?
Kodiak AI is headquartered in Mountain View, California, United States, and was founded in 2018 by Don Burnette, Paz Eshel.