Unitree Robotics made a spectacular entrance on Shanghai's Star Market, with its shares surging 629% above the IPO price to value the company at around US$66 billion. The debut occurs alongside the World Robot Conference in Beijing, underscoring the strategic significance of robotics in China’s technological ambitions.
- Shares jump 629% on Shanghai Star Market debut
- Raised 6.1 billion yuan with 10% share sale
- Strategic backing from Tencent and state investors
What happened
Unitree Robotics’ shares opened at 1,100 yuan during its debut on the Shanghai Star Market, soaring 629% above the initial public offering price of 150.80 yuan. This surge briefly valued the company at about 445 billion yuan (US$66 billion) before the stock price experienced a pullback to below 900 yuan in early trading. The company raised approximately 6.1 billion yuan by selling 40.45 million shares, representing 10% of its expanded share capital.
Nearly 9.8 million retail investors competed for just 9.7 million shares in the online IPO tranche, resulting in an extremely low allocation rate of 0.018%. Alongside private investment interest, strategic investors such as AI startup DeepSeek, Tencent Holdings, and state-backed entities including China National Petroleum and the National Council for Social Security Fund participated in the placement. Unitree’s debut marks the first listing of a humanoid robot maker on a mainland Chinese exchange.
Why it matters
Unitree Robotics’ dramatic IPO performance highlights the rapid ascent and investor enthusiasm for China’s robotics and embodied artificial intelligence sectors. The company’s listing sets a new benchmark for valuations in a field where private startups have already attracted billions in investment. Robotics technology is increasingly important to China’s ambitions to lead in global high-tech innovation, especially amid technology competition with the United States.
Unitree’s revenue has surged exponentially, reaching 1.7 billion yuan in 2025, with humanoid robots contributing more than half of this revenue. The company’s products have gained notable traction both domestically and abroad, with over 40% of revenue generated from international sales. This strong commercial performance demonstrates the growing market demand for advanced robotics solutions and China’s capacity to scale innovative hardware enterprises.
What to watch next
Investors and industry watchers will be keen to see how Unitree’s stock stabilizes following its extreme debut volatility. The company’s ability to sustain growth in sales and successfully roll out new robotics models, such as the recently unveiled ‘Superman’ humanoid and the rideable transforming mech, will be key indicators of its long-term prospects. Continuous innovation and expanding international market penetration will also be under close scrutiny.
The overall robotics sector in China is rapidly evolving, with multiple companies like Deep Robotics and LimX Dynamics preparing for public listings. Government support and strategic investment from leading technology and state-owned entities suggest that embodied AI will remain a national priority. Upcoming events like the World Robot Conference will further showcase technological advancements and may influence investor sentiment and sector momentum.