SANTA CLARITA: Tombot, a developer of robotic companion animals for health and wellness, said Thursday it has closed a $7 million Series A3 funding round as it prepares to launch its lifelike robotic puppy, “Jennie,” in fall 2026.
The round includes investments from Caduceus Capital Partners, Wavemaker 360, the Lutheran Foundation for Long Term Living and Florida Community Health Network. The financing will support manufacturing scale-up, operational expansion and commercialization efforts ahead of first customer shipments, the company said.
Tombot has already secured more than 23,000 pre-orders and waitlist customers for Jennie, a robotic Labrador puppy designed to mimic the movements and responses of an 8- to 10-week-old dog. The company said the backlog provides strong market validation as it transitions from product development to commercial sales.
The investment comes as demand grows for technologies addressing loneliness, behavioral health, aging-in-place and caregiver support. Tombot’s products are designed for older adults and others who may benefit from animal companionship but cannot care for a live pet, including individuals with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, anxiety, autism and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“This financing represents an important milestone as we transition from product development to commercial scale,” Tombot Founder and CEO Tom Stevens said in a statement. “We are fortunate to have investors who recognize both the significant market opportunity and the positive social impact of companion robotics. Their support will enable us to meet growing customer demand, execute a successful market launch, and continue building a broader portfolio of products that set the bar for emotional support through technology.”
The investor group brings a mix of healthcare, aging-services and innovation expertise, the company said.
Dr. Mark Gusek, president and CEO of the Lutheran Foundation, said the technology’s potential became clear within minutes of seeing the robot in action.
“Given our organization’s longstanding commitment to enhancing the quality of care and well-being of older adults, we were pleased to provide launch funding to Tombot, Inc., to support the development and advancement of its lifelike robotic dog,” Gusek said. “This innovative product has the potential to transform the daily lives of individuals, families, and communities affected by mental health and cognitive challenges who are unable to safely or practically care for a live pet.”
Ryan McKindles, managing partner of Caduceus Capital Partners, said the convergence of an aging population, caregiver shortages and rising loneliness underscores the need for new solutions that expand access to care and support mental well-being. Caduceus led Tombot’s Series A round last year and participated in the latest financing, McKindles said.
Since Jennie’s public debut in early 2024, Tombot has drawn interest from consumers, healthcare providers, senior living organizations and caregiving communities. The company said it is entering its commercialization phase with a growing network of strategic relationships across healthcare and aging-services sectors.
Tombot, based in Santa Clarita, California, develops robotic animal and digital health solutions. The company estimates more than 300 million seniors worldwide live with dementia or mild cognitive impairment, a population it targets with Jennie alongside individuals coping with anxiety, loneliness, autism and PTSD. The robot operates autonomously and has gained global recognition since its introduction, the company said.
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