Mecka AI, a startup specializing in gathering and analyzing human movement data for robotics training, is close to securing a new funding round led by Sequoia Capital that could push its valuation to approximately $500 million, based on two sources familiar with the negotiations. This development arrives as the technology sector intensifies efforts to collect real-world interaction data for training advanced robotic systems, particularly humanoid models.
The upcoming investment follows a $60 million funding round in June, which was spearheaded by Framework Ventures and included contributions from Menlo Ventures, SV Angel, and Kindred Ventures. While final terms remain under negotiation, the exact amount of the new infusion has not yet been disclosed. The rapid succession of funding rounds shows the competitive race among startups to dominate the emerging market for physical-world datasets.
Founded in 2024, Mecka was established by four entrepreneurs—Josh Gao, Mogen Cheng, Jason Chong, and Duy Nguyen—none of whom possess extensive backgrounds in robotics. Gao and Cheng previously co-founded a restaurant technology company, while Chong worked at Coinbase after its acquisition of the crypto exchange he had helped launch. Nguyen, the only non-Canadian founder, oversees operations. Their shared observation was that the absence of real-world human interaction data represented a major obstacle for developing general-purpose robots, including humanoid designs.
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The company’s methodology aligns with approaches taken by firms such as Scale AI and Mercor, which provide training datasets for artificial intelligence systems. Mecka compensates individuals to record daily activities—ranging from preparing coffee to performing car repairs—using wearable sensors and mobile devices. This data is then processed to enhance robotic models through an “egocentric” viewpoint, simulating first-person human perspectives. The emphasis on real-world tasks, rather than controlled lab settings, helps robots adapt to unpredictable environments. The startup’s name, derived from “mecha”, a reference to fictional humanoid robots.
By early June, Mecka projected reaching an annual run rate of $100 million for 2026, according to Gao’s remarks during the previous funding announcement. Although the company has not revealed its client roster, many robotics firms and AI research groups already depend on comparable data collection techniques, including remote operation methods, to refine their systems. The demand for such datasets has surged as companies test robots in logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Mecka’s expansion highlights a broader industry competition for physical-world datasets. Last week, XDOF was reported to be nearing a new round at a $1.2 billion valuation, as well as human-data platforms expanding beyond LLMs, such as Scale AI and Micro1.
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Mecka’s valuation increase signals investor confidence in its scalability. The startup’s emphasis on motion data collection could prove essential as humanoid robots become more prevalent.
Mecka AI did not provide a statement in response to inquiries. Sequoia Capital declined to share additional details about the pending deal.
