Unitree Surges 460% on Debut, Valuation Hits $66 Billion

Shares in Unitree, a prominent Chinese manufacturer of humanoid robots, experienced a dramatic surge of over 460% on their inaugural trading day on Shanghai's STAR Market, indicating robust investor confidence in China's burgeoning robotics industry. The company successfully raised approximately $900 million through its Initial Public Offering (IPO), which set its initial valuation at $9 billion. Following the significant price increase on its debut, Unitree's market capitalization escalated to an estimated $66 billion. This valuation now surpasses that of major Chinese technology corporations such as Baidu and JD.com, and notably exceeds the valuation of the leading U.S. robotics company, Figure AI, which secured a $39 billion valuation during a funding round in September 2025. Unitree reported substantial financial performance in 2025, generating 1.7 billion yuan (approximately $252 million) in revenue, with nearly 45% of this revenue originating from international sales. The company also achieved a profit of 600 million yuan (around $89 million) in the same year. While the majority of Unitree's robot sales are directed towards research and development purposes, a growing number of Chinese technology firms and state-owned enterprises are beginning to investigate the integration of humanoid robots into their operational frameworks. Unitree's growth has been supported by investments from fellow Hangzhou-based startup DeepSeek, as well as major technology conglomerates including Alibaba, Ant Group, and Tencent, alongside several state-backed investment funds. Nomura, a financial services firm, issued a "buy" rating for Unitree shares on Wednesday, attributing the company's success to its "rapid product iteration and continuous innovation," which has fostered a "first-mover advantage." Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Hangzhou, Unitree has rapidly ascended to become a key player, often described as a "national champion," within China's robotics sector. The company's humanoid robots have gained public recognition through synchronized dance performances, a recurring segment at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, China's most widely viewed television event. In a testament to its significance, Unitree's founder, Wang Xingxing, was extended a rare invitation to a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2025, joining other prominent figures in the technology industry such as Alibaba founder Jack Ma, BYD founder Wang Chuanfu, and DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng. The Chinese robotics sector, with a particular focus on humanoid robots, is demonstrating increasing technological sophistication. Just days prior to its stock market listing, Unitree unveiled its "Superman" robot, showcasing advancements in the field.