Company
Houston-based startup developing industrial humanoid robots, sourcing parts from Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Italy.
Zach Yadegari, the 19-year-old co-founder of Cal AI, raised $10 million for Persona, an AI assistant built around a $179 wearable band. Until the band ships, people use Persona free over iMessage, and the company's business model relies on sponsored products in its shopping research.
Reality
The Houston startup says energy and construction come next after shipbuilding and steel, though its Korean work so far amounts to two proof-of-concept projects and a $2 million investment from POSCO DX.
Reality
A Form D records securities sold as of its filing date. Persona AI's puts $65.36 million against a $141.96 million target, with $76.6 million still to sell and pre-production shipyard deliveries due at the end of 2026.
Reality
The July 28 Covered List addition blocks new authorizations for foreign-made robots. The cost multiplier now being quoted comes from an index that had not yet been published.
Reality
An FCC rule demands 65% domestic content, rising to 75% in 2029. The startups it is meant to protect are the ones that cannot assemble a compliant parts list.
Reality