RJ Scaringe, founder and CEO of Rivian, has secured more than $12.3 billion in funding across three cutting-edge startups, underscoring a rapid expansion from electric vehicles to robotics and autonomous micromobility.
- Mind Robotics surpassed $1 billion in funding with a $3.4 billion valuation
- Also raised $300 million and forged commercial deals for autonomous delivery EVs
- Rivian’s funding exceeds $11 billion, with Volkswagen as a key shareholder
What happened
RJ Scaringe has simultaneously raised over $12.3 billion across three startups: Rivian, Mind Robotics, and Also. Rivian, founded in 2009, has attracted the majority of capital, receiving more than $11 billion primarily between 2018 and its 2021 IPO, making it a key player in the electric vehicle sector. Mind Robotics, spun out in 2025 from a Rivian internal project, recently completed a $400 million funding round led by Kleiner Perkins, bringing its valuation to $3.4 billion.
Also, an autonomous micromobility startup launched in 2025, has raised over $300 million, including a $200 million Series C led by Greenoaks. The company focuses on last-mile delivery electric vehicles, with partners like DoorDash committed to deploying Also’s lightweight autonomous EVs. Collectively, these ventures illustrate a rapid fundraising pace and a diverse portfolio of forward-looking transportation and robotics technologies.
Why it matters
Scaringe’s ability to secure such substantial funding across multiple sectors highlights his blend of engineering expertise and product intuition, which earns investor trust and supports ambitious innovation beyond traditional EVs. Mind Robotics targets complex manufacturing tasks unsuitable for conventional automation, promising advances in industrial robotics fueled by AI. Also aims to capitalize on the growing demand for efficient autonomous delivery solutions in urban environments.
These developments signify an important fusion of physical engineering and AI-driven automation across adjacent mobility and manufacturing domains. By leveraging Rivian’s manufacturing capabilities and market presence, Scaringe sustains momentum in industries facing immense technological transformation. Additionally, strategic partnerships, including Volkswagen’s software venture input and Uber’s autonomous robotaxi order, emphasize the broader ecosystem backing these initiatives.
What to watch next
Industry observers should monitor Mind Robotics’ deployment progress and how its AI-powered robots perform in live manufacturing environments, which could reshape industrial automation standards. Also’s commercial rollout with DoorDash and expansion of its autonomous EV fleet will offer insight into the scalability and operational impact of micromobility solutions tailored for urban delivery.
For Rivian, key indicators include its ability to maintain competitive growth amidst overall EV sector challenges and capitalize on partnerships like Volkswagen’s software joint venture and Uber’s robotaxi plans. Scaringe’s ongoing leadership across these ventures will be closely watched as a rare example of serial entrepreneurial success spanning multiple emerging technology markets simultaneously.