In a major boost to the autonomous vehicle sector, London-based startup Wayve has raised $1.2 billion in new funding to accelerate global expansion and advance its self-driving technology. The round was backed by investors including Eclipse, Balderton Capital, and SoftBank Vision Fund 2.
With an earlier funding commitment from Uber included, Wayve’s total funding has now reached $2.8 billion. The fresh capital is expected to support the company’s plans to build more capable autonomous vehicle systems and expand its presence across international markets.
Along with returning investors such as Microsoft and NVIDIA, the round also saw participation from new backers including Ontario Teachers’s Pension Plan and Baillie Gifford. Wayve said the funding will help it strengthen its AI-driven approach to autonomous mobility.
Founded in 2017, Wayve is developing what it calls “AV2.0,” a next-generation autonomous driving system. Unlike traditional approaches, the company’s technology does not depend on high-definition maps or hand-coded driving rules. Instead, it uses data-driven learning methods and is designed to be hardware-agnostic. This allows the system to adapt more easily to different locations, road conditions, and driving scenarios.
Wayve’s technology roadmap includes commercial deployments and large-scale testing. Customers such as Nissan are planning to roll out Wayve-powered features starting in 2027. In addition, the company is preparing to begin robotaxi trials with Uber as early as 2026.
Wayve is also exploring global licensing opportunities for its autonomous driving software. Following the latest funding round, the company is valued at $8.6 billion, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey.
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