Mecka AI is close to a funding round led by Sequoia Capital at a valuation near $500 million. The startup collects human motion data used to train humanoid and other robots. It pays people to record themselves doing everyday tasks using body sensors and smartphones. Examples include making coffee and fixing cars. Four founders started the company in 2024, none with a robotics background. Mecka has not disclosed its customers. The round size is not known and the terms are not final. Mecka did not respond to a request for comment and Sequoia declined to comment. Rival XDOF was reported last week to be raising at a $1.2 billion valuation. The figures come from two people with knowledge of the deal.

• ~$500M valuation
• $60M Series A three months earlier
• $100M run rate projected for 2026