Autonomous Driving Startup Waymo Raises $16B Led by Mubadala
The autonomous driving company, backed by Alphabet and Mubadala Capital, plans to expand robotaxi services to more than 20 cities in 2026.
Waymo, a US-based autonomous driving company, has raised $16 billion in fresh capital at a valuation of $126 billion, marking a major milestone as robotaxi services move firmly from pilot projects to large-scale commercial operations.
The funding follows a year of rapid growth for the US-based autonomous driving firm. In 2025, Waymo logged 15 million paid robotaxi trips across six US cities, underscoring rising adoption of driverless transport services and increased confidence in the company’s technology.
Founded in 2016 by Alphabet, Waymo operates a fully commercial robotaxi service and is preparing for its next phase of expansion. The company plans to launch in more than 20 cities in 2026, including international markets such as Tokyo and London, as it looks to establish a global footprint for autonomous mobility.
Among the investors in the latest round is Mubadala Capital, which has now participated in three of Waymo’s funding rounds. Mubadala previously backed the company in two earlier raises, reinforcing its long-term exposure to autonomous driving and mobility technologies.
