Wayve Secures $1.5 Billion to Advance Global Autonomous Driving Platform
LONDON, February 26, 2026 – British autonomous driving startup Wayve has secured $1.5 billion in funding to support the commercial rollout of its AI-powered platform, the company announced today. The investment, led by financial investors and including strategic partners such as Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Stellantis, Uber, Nvidia, and Microsoft, underscores growing confidence in Wayve’s approach to self-driving technology.
A significant portion of the funding, $1.2 billion, comes from venture capital firms Eclipse, Balderton, and SoftBank Vision Fund 2, with additional investment from Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Baillie Gifford. Uber has committed an additional $300 million, contingent on achieving milestones related to the deployment of Wayve-powered robotaxis globally. This latest funding round values Wayve at $8.6 billion, according to TechCrunch.
Founded in 2017 by former Cambridge students Alex Kendall and Amar Shah, Wayve distinguishes itself through its end-to-end deep learning approach to autonomous driving. Unlike many competitors, Wayve’s software layer doesn’t rely on high-definition maps, instead using data to teach vehicles how to navigate. This data-driven learning supports both assisted-driving systems (“eyes on”) and fully automated systems (“eyes off”) suitable for robotaxis or consumer vehicles in defined environments.
The involvement of major automakers like Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Stellantis signals a commitment to advancing Wayve’s AI platform for both advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and higher levels of autonomous driving, ranging from SAE Level 2+ to Level 4. Electrive reports that this investment reflects a broader trend of collaboration within the autonomous driving sector.
“We took a very contrarian view on the technology side,” Wayve founder and CEO Alex Kendall told TechCrunch. “We were the first to build end-to-end deep learning for autonomous driving, and we pioneered this approach. Now, when it comes to this phase of moving into commercialization, we’re also taking a contrarian business model approach.”
The investment comes amid a surge in funding for autonomous driving technology, following a $16 billion raise by Waymo earlier in February and a $750 million partnership for Waabi with Uber. Wayve’s press release details plans to launch commercial deployments with the new capital.
This funding round highlights the growing interest in the autonomous vehicle market and the potential for AI-driven solutions to transform transportation. The company’s agnostic technology, which is not reliant on specific sensors or maps, positions it as a flexible partner for various automotive and mobility applications.
