Persona AI Adds Daiwa House Fund as Industrial Humanoid Investor

HOUSTON -- Daiwa House Group Growth Fund has invested in Persona AI, a Houston startup developing humanoid robots for shipyards, construction sites and energy infrastructure, though the Japanese fund did not disclose the amount of its investment.

The fund announced the investment Oct. 2 (Japanese-language report). It is supported by Daiwa House Ventures and is overseen by Ignition Point Venture Partners. Daiwa House said Persona AI’s focus on industrial labor could address problems facing businesses in areas where the Japanese group operates.

The announcement lists the Daiwa House Group Growth Fund at 5 billion yen ($31.7 million), but that figure is the fund’s total operating cap, not the amount invested in Persona AI. The investment amount remains undisclosed.
In an SEC filing dated Sept. 14, Persona AI said that it had sold $65.4 million sold in an offering that could reach $142 million; the Form D lists 46 investors and shows the first sale was Aug. 28, but it does not identify participants.

The financing is equity-based and includes warrants that allow holders to buy additional shares, according to the filing. Persona declined to disclose revenue.

Founded in 2024, Persona is developing humanoid robots for industrial tasks such as welding, inspection, maintenance, fabrication and assembly. The company says its machines are being designed for industrial environments such as shipyards, energy facilities and construction sites.

The robots remain under development. Persona’s website says the technologies shown publicly are conceptual prototypes not yet commercially available. The company expects preproduction units by end‑2026; welding prototypes due end‑2026 and full deployment in 2027.
Persona also has an agreement with HD Hyundai companies to develop humanoid robots for shipyard welding, with prototypes targeted for the end of 2026 and deployment planned for 2027. The timetable is a development milestone, not a current deployment.