HANGZHOU/BEIJING, 10 September 2025 — Chinese robotics innovator Unitree Robotics is preparing for a landmark initial public offering (IPO) that could value the company at as much as 50 billion yuan (approximately US$7 billion), marking one of the most ambitious tech listings onshore in recent years. The Hangzhou-based startup is signing up for a listing on Shanghai’s STAR Market, positioning itself at the forefront of a resurgent Chinese IPO wave driven by Beijing’s push for technological independence and domestic unicorns.
The IPO filing is expected to move forward in the fourth quarter of 2025, following a “tutoring” phase initiated in July with backing from CITIC Securities. Unitree has formally confirmed that it is actively preparing the application documents.
If the IPO succeeds at the projected valuation—more than quadruple the 12 billion yuan valuation it secured in its mid-2025 fundraising round—it would underscore Unitree’s rapid ascent as both a robotics leader and a marquee player among China’s high-tech startups. The company already reports over 1 billion yuan in annual revenue, underlining its financial viability.
Unitree’s global recognition stems from its humanoid and quadruped robots capable of walking, climbing, and carrying loads. The company has amassed over 30 investors, including tech giants Alibaba, Tencent, and automaker Geely, reflecting strong institutional confidence in its ambition.
Its presence is particularly visible in educational and public settings across China, with robots frequently deployed for research in universities or showcased at national events. Its IPO will be a litmus test for investor sentiment toward robotics—an area where China aims to lead—not least by leveraging its strong manufacturing infrastructure, policy support, and supply-chain self-sufficiency.
The burgeoning interest in Unitree and similar firms mirrors broader trends. The flagship STAR Market has become instrumental in revitalising China’s tech IPO landscape, which began recovering following a nearly two-year hiatus due to stringent regulatory scrutiny. So far in 2025, onshore IPO proceeds are up around 40% year-on-year, though still modest compared to peak levels earlier in the decade.
Source: Reuters
