New Delhi, Oct. 15 -- Origin, a deeptech startup building autonomous robots for interior construction, has raised $20 million in a round led by Accel and Zacua Ventures as it emerges from stealth, with plans to build 150 robots by the end of next year. Unilazer Ventures, Schema Ventures, Z21, ISAI and Imad Ventures also invested, as did some of Origin's customers. Accel's India fund is the only Indian entity on the startup's cap table.

The raise is an early bet on physical artificial intelligence (AI) in one of the least automated industries. However, venture funds are increasingly parking money in the sector, with robotics in construction attracting $1.3 billion in funding until Q3 2025, compared to $612 million in all of 2024, accordin...