Tombot, the robotics startup behind the widely praised lifelike robotic puppy “Jennie,” has announced the successful close of its $6.1 million Series A funding round. The round was oversubscribed and led by Caduceus Capital Partners, with participation from both new and returning investors.
Tombot is tackling a critical need at the intersection of mental health and assistive technology. With over 300 million seniors globally affected by dementia or mild cognitive impairment—and millions more facing mental health challenges—many individuals are no longer able to care for live pets, despite the deep therapeutic value they offer.
“Tombot is addressing a high-demand, underserved market,” said Tom Stevens, CEO and Co-Founder. “We’re providing safe, accessible companionship through robotic pets for people who need it most.”
Designed in collaboration with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and developed with input from clinicians, patients, and caregivers, Jennie offers many of the psychological benefits of a real dog—reducing loneliness, stress, and anxiety. Jennie is fully interactive, equipped with sensors to respond to touch, voice, and motion. The pet is rechargeable, cleanable, and includes an optional caregiver app to customize its behavior and reduce caregiver burden.
Jennie is being deployed in private homes, assisted living facilities, and memory care communities—environments where live animals may not be suitable or allowed.
“We’ve long anticipated the need for robotic companions, and the market is now ready for major growth,” said Dave Vreeland, Senior Managing Partner at Caduceus Capital Partners. “As the U.S. senior population approaches 73 million by 2030, addressing loneliness and chronic care needs will require innovative, scalable solutions. Tombot is uniquely positioned to lead this emerging market.”
With more than 16,000 customers already on its pre-order and waitlist, Tombot plans to use the funding to scale operations. The investment will support team expansion, final engineering work, regulatory approvals, and preparation for its first wave of customer deliveries.
“This funding is rocket fuel for our mission,” said Stevens. “We’re incredibly grateful to our board and to Caduceus for believing in our vision to create robotic animals that enhance daily life for individuals and communities affected by health challenges.”
Tombot’s Jennie continues to gain momentum as a breakthrough innovation in the assistive robotics space, offering emotional support and companionship to those most in need.
