Arda raises $70M at $700M valuation to automate Western manufacturing with AI software

by | Mar 5, 2026 | Latest E-commerce News & Updates

Arda, an AI software startup co-founded by former OpenAI research chief Bob McGrew, raised $70 million at a $700 million valuation. The company developed a platform featuring a video model to train robots and coordinate autonomous factory operations. The funding round, co-led by Founders Fund and Accel, supported a goal to make Western manufacturing cost-effective and reduce supply chain reliance on China.

Paul Drecksler is the founder and editor of Shopifreaks, covering the most important stories in e-commerce.

Never miss important e-commerce news

Our weekly newsletter is read religiously by 20,000+ e-commerce professionals.

Loading...