CATL backs $860M venture fund targeting AI and robotics

What's the deal? CATL, the Chinese battery giant nicknamed "Ning King," disclosed two venture capital funds in a single day, with combined subscribed capital exceeding 10 billion yuan. The larger of the two, Xiamen Shidai Yiyuan Venture Capital FundDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, totals 5.768 billion yuan (about $860 million).

Who's backing it? Shidai Yiyuan is funded almost entirely within CATL's capital system. Its controlling shareholder, Xiamen RitingDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, subscribed 4.48 billion yuan (77.67%); wholly-owned subsidiary Ningbo WendingDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → put in 1.12 billion yuan (19.42%); and Xiamen PuquanDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → added 168 million yuan (2.91%).

Where's the money going? The fund targets the new energy industrial chain, industrial applications of artificial intelligence and embodied intelligence, and scientific innovation. Its manager, Puquan CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, is a corporate venture arm CATL set up itself.

Why now? Over the past year, CATL has pushed steadily into AI and robotics. In March 2025, Puquan Capital led the Series D round of chip firm Silan TechnologyDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →; in June, CATL led a 1.1 billion yuan round for humanoid robot firm Galaxy General — its first move into embodied intelligence as a strategic investor.

What's the endgame? That push has since spread across the supply chain. In April 2026, Puquan Capital joined the Series C+ round of sensor firm Bluepoint TouchDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →; in July, Ningbo Wending took a stake in humanoid robot firm Robo PartyDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.

The new funds mark a shift from backing individual companies to committing capital at the fund level.

The signal: CATL is building an investment engine that reaches beyond batteries into AI and robotics, extending its influence from single deals to the wider industrial chain.

Read more: eu.36kr.com

Image credit: Generated with Gemini