What is Third Wave Automation?
Founded in 2018, Third Wave Automation (TWA) specializes in the development of intelligent automation products designed to alleviate systemic supply chain stress. The company's core innovation, the Shared Autonomy Platform, represents a paradigm shift in industrial robotics by facilitating seamless collaboration between human operators and automated systems. Unlike traditional, rigid automation, TWA's technology leverages artificial intelligence to enhance throughput and operational safety in dynamic environments. By focusing on the intersection of human expertise and machine precision, the company provides a scalable solution for enterprises struggling with labor shortages and increasing demand for rapid fulfillment.
How much funding has Third Wave Automation raised?
Third Wave Automation has raised a total of $82M across 3 funding rounds:
Series A
$15M
Series B
$40M
Series C
$27M
Series A (2020): $15M, investors not publicly disclosed
Series B (2021): $40M led by Toyota Ventures, Innovation Endeavors, Norwest Venture Partners, and Eclipse
Series C (2024): $27M supported by Qualcomm Ventures, Woven Capital, and Norwest Venture Partners
Key Investors in Third Wave Automation
Qualcomm Ventures
A global corporate venture firm that invests in early to growth stage technology companies, providing access to leading technology, domain expertise, and a robust network to help companies scale effectively.
Woven Capital
A specialized investment firm focused on empowering clients through personalized financial strategies and a tech-savvy approach to wealth management and socially responsible investment.
Norwest Venture Partners
A premier multi-stage venture capital and growth equity investment firm that partners with founders to build market-leading businesses across a diverse range of technology sectors.
What's next for Third Wave Automation?
With the successful closure of its Series C round, Third Wave Automation is poised to scale its operations significantly. The strategic focus will likely shift toward expanding the deployment of its autonomous fleet across major distribution centers and enhancing the predictive capabilities of its AI-driven software stack. As the company matures, the emphasis will remain on deepening its integration with existing enterprise resource planning systems to provide a comprehensive, end-to-end automation ecosystem. The involvement of high-profile strategic investors suggests a long-term roadmap centered on global market penetration and the continued refinement of its robotics-as-a-service model, ensuring that TWA remains at the forefront of the industrial automation revolution.
See full Third Wave Automation company page