Tesla Optimus Rival Unitree Robotics Targets $7 Billion Shanghai IPO With Alibaba-Tencent Backing: Report

China’s Unitree Robotics is pursuing a $7 billion valuation for its initial public offering, positioning itself as a potential market leader in humanoid robotics technology as Beijing accelerates investment in advanced manufacturing.

Strategic High-Profile Backing

Unitree’s founder, Wang Xingxing, attended a rare meeting with President Xi Jinping in February alongside DeepSeek executives, signaling government support for the robotics sector.

The company secured backing from tech giants Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE:BABA) and Tencent Holdings Ltd. (OTC:TCEHY), plus automaker Geely Holding Group in June.

The Hangzhou-based company plans to list on Shanghai’s STAR Market in the fourth quarter of 2025, Reuters reported, citing sources.

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Market Position And Competition Advantage

Unitree sold 23,700 robot units in 2024 at $2,700 each, significantly undercutting Boston Dynamics‘ $74,500 Spot robot. ARK Invest Chief Futurist Brett Winton noted this pricing strategy gives Chinese firms a “data advantage” over U.S. competitors, including Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA), Figure AI and Apptronik Inc.

“Quadruped fleets should provide strategically valuable data for humanoid robot programs,” Winton said, highlighting a strategic gap in U.S. robotics portfolios.

Financial Performance And Valuation Jump

The IPO valuation represents a sharp increase from Unitree’s 12 billion yuan ($1.7 billion) value in July 2024. Wang reported annual revenue exceeding 1 billion yuan, with the company already achieving profitability, according to the report.

Founded in 2016, Unitree has captured global attention with viral videos showing human-like robot capabilities, including walking, climbing, and load-carrying. The company leads production and sales in China’s robotics sector, serving universities and entertainment venues nationwide.

Onshore IPO proceeds totaled $7 billion through 2025, up 40% year-over-year as Chinese exchanges experience gradual revival after regulatory tightening.

Unitree’s listing would rank among the largest domestic tech IPOs in recent years, supporting Beijing’s technology self-sufficiency initiatives amid ongoing Sino-U.S. trade tensions.

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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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