A Hugging Face research scientist is in talks to raise around $40 million for a buzzy robotics startup, sources say

In an exciting development in the robotics sector, Remi Cadene, who leads the robotics division at the open-source AI company Hugging Face, is reportedly seeking to secure approximately $40 million in seed funding for his new venture, Uma. This information comes from two insiders familiar with the discussions. While specific details about Cadene's Paris-based startup remain scarce, one source indicated that Uma is focused on creating full-stack robotics solutions tailored for industrial and commercial applications. Cadene brings a wealth of experience to this endeavor, having previously contributed to robotics projects at major companies like Meta and Tesla. At Tesla, his role involved significant contributions to the humanoid robot and autonomous driving teams, and he currently serves as a principal research scientist at Hugging Face, a position he assumed in March 2024. The startup appears to be in stealth mode, as there are no mentions of Uma on Cadene's LinkedIn profile or personal website. His blog highlights his scientific curiosity about the fundamental mechanisms of intelligence, hinting at the innovative approaches Uma might pursue. Details regarding the funding round are still evolving, as the negotiations have yet to reach a conclusion. Despite this, the growing interest in AI is significantly boosting investor enthusiasm for robotics, with startups in the field attracting $17.2 billion in investments in 2024 alone. The trend shows no signs of slowing, as over $16 billion has already been raised by robotics firms in 2025, according to PitchBook data. Prominent funding rounds this year include Genesis Robotics, which secured $110 million, and Coco Robotics, which raised $80 million. Hugging Face itself has ventured into robotics, recently unveiling a desktop robot following its acquisition of Pollen Robotics in 2025. This pattern of larger AI firms nurturing future startup founders continues, with GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke recently announcing his departure to pursue new entrepreneurial opportunities.