Gather AI, maker of ‘curious’ warehouse drones, lands $40M led by Keith Block’s firm

Gather AI, a pioneering startup that specializes in integrating artificial intelligence with warehouse technology, has successfully completed a $40 million Series B funding round, led by Smith Point Capital, the venture capital firm established by former Salesforce co-CEO Keith Block. Co-founder and CEO Sankalp Arora shared insights with TechCrunch about the swift understanding of their innovative approach by Block and his team, which they encountered at a logistics conference a year prior. Gather AI's unique concept stems from the founders' backgrounds as PhD students at Carnegie Mellon University, where they developed one of the earliest autonomous helicopters tested on FBI training grounds. Block is also a trustee at CMU, further solidifying this connection. Founded in 2017, Gather AI leverages the knowledge gained from their helicopter project to create an AI platform that utilizes standard cameras and drones to monitor warehouse operations. These devices are strategically placed on moving equipment like forklifts and drones that traverse the warehouse, capturing real-time data and feeding it into warehouse management systems. What sets Gather AI apart is its focus on a 'curious' AI approach, as Arora described. His PhD research concentrated on instilling curiosity in flying robots, enabling them to actively seek out and analyze various elements such as boxes, barcodes, and workflows. The technology is designed to identify and predict potential issues, including low inventory levels and misplaced items, as well as to highlight safety concerns in workflows. Additionally, the system excels in challenging environments, such as freezers and cold storage areas. Notably, Gather AI's technology diverges from contemporary large language models; instead, it employs classical Bayesian techniques combined with neural networks. This enables the AI to interpret visual data without experiencing the inaccuracies often associated with LLMs. As Arora noted, the system's curiosity drives its ability to learn and make informed decisions based on its findings. This approach positions Gather AI at the forefront of what is being referred to as 'embodied AI,' which involves robots engaging directly with the physical world rather than through digital interfaces. In recognition of its innovative contributions, the startup was awarded the 2025 Nebius Robotics award for Vision AI and Streaming Video Analytics in December. With a team of approximately 60 employees, Gather AI counts notable clients such as Kwik Trip, Axon, GEODIS, and NFI Industries among its customer base. Following this latest funding round, the total capital raised by the startup has reached $74 million, with additional backing from Bain Capital Ventures, XRC Ventures, and Hillman Investments.