$12M for Axibo to Put Robots Behind the Camera
Canadian startup Axibo just raised a cool $12 million, and they’re not using it to make another fancy slider. They’re using it to build humanoid robots, machines that could very well start replacing you (yes, you) on the film set.
Axibo made its name developing AI-powered camera gear used by solo filmmakers and big names like Netflix and Apple. Their gear made complex camera movement more accessible, turning one-person crews into powerful setups. But now? They’re aiming higher or weirder, depending on how you see it.
“We’re building a humanoid robot,” said Axibo CEO Anoop Singh in an interview with BetaKit. “Not just a robotic arm. Not a gimbal with a brain. A robot.”
Translation? The film set is evolving, and not necessarily in a way that keeps everyone on the payroll.
Who’s Betting on the Robots?
An unnamed U.S. angel investor led the round, and none other than Balaji Srinivasan (ex-Coinbase CTO, crypto brainwave) jumped in. The founders themselves even threw down $1M CAD, which means they’re not just talking, they’re all-in.
The raise brings Axibo’s valuation to about USD 30 million ($41.5M CAD), and they’re wasting no time scaling up. They plan to grow their team from eight to nearly 30, with a heavy focus on engineers and robotics talent.
They’re also moving operations to a larger space near the University of Waterloo, a strategic move to tap into local talent pools with serious tech chops.
So What’s the Plan?
About 70% of the funding goes to expanding their team and infrastructure. The rest is headed into prototyping and manufacturing their first humanoid robot, expected sometime in 2025.
And no, this isn’t just some souped-up C-stand on wheels. The language they’re using suggests real autonomy. This is about making robots that understand movement, framing, and production flow, the kinds of things that make crews valuable.
They’re not here to play with gadgets. They’re building co-workers… or replacements.
What This Means for the Film Industry
This isn’t the first time tech has threatened to reshape how films get made. But it might be one of the first times a startup has raised millions specifically to bring humanoid automation into creative labour.
So what happens to gaffers? DPs? Operators?
The roles won’t vanish, but they might evolve fast. Creatives who can adapt, pivot, and collaborate with tech (instead of pretending it’s not coming) will thrive. The rest… might get left behind.
Axibo isn’t just redefining tools, they’re quietly rewriting the power structure of the set.
And it’s a wrap from my desk!
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