Trucks VC reports 81 new AV startup pitches as funding wave grows
Trucks VC says it received pitches from 81 new autonomous vehicle startups in 2026, two-thirds more than last year, citing foundation models as a driver.
The story in focus
TechCrunch reports that Trucks VC has fielded pitches from 81 new autonomous vehicle startups in 2026, two-thirds more than last year, and argues a second, larger AV wave is underway, driven by foundation models that lower barriers to entry.
- Trucks VC received pitches from 81 new autonomous vehicle startups in 2026, up two-thirds year over year
- The firm says foundation models enable end-to-end AV architectures and faster, cheaper deployment
- Kodiak AI will deliver 75 self-driving trucks to DTL Transport starting in 2028, its first binding commercial deal for driverless big rigs
- Waymo and Toyota will build AV-ready bZ4X vehicles with Waymo's system at a Toyota factory in Japan
- Trucks VC partner Puneeth Meruva expects more AV startups to pitch next year
Investor sees broader AV field
TechCrunch reports that Trucks VC, an early-stage investor, has fielded pitches from 81 new autonomous vehicle startups so far in 2026, two-thirds more than last year. The firm argues in a blog post that a second, larger autonomous vehicle wave is underway, according to the newsletter.
Trucks VC partner Puneeth Meruva told TechCrunch that foundation models provide a technical architecture making end-to-end AV systems possible. TechCrunch reports that open source models such as Nvidia's Alpamayo and Qwen's vision-language-action models have eased entry, and that Trucks has seen startups deploy within months and with less than $1 million raised. Meruva expects more startups to pitch next year.
Commercial deals take shape
TechCrunch reports that Kodiak AI will deliver 75 self-driving trucks to freight company DTL Transport starting in 2028. The newsletter describes it as Kodiak's first binding commercial deal for driverless big rigs on public highways.
Waymo and Toyota have locked in a manufacturing partnership, moving past exploratory talks, according to TechCrunch. Toyota will manufacture AV-ready bZ4X vehicles and integrate Waymo's self-driving system at its factory in Japan, with the vehicles intended for robotaxi services in Japan, the U.K. and other international markets. The companies hinted the arrangement could eventually lead to a licensing deal for personally owned vehicles.
How many new autonomous vehicle startups pitched Trucks VC in 2026?
TechCrunch reports Trucks VC fielded pitches from 81 new autonomous vehicle startups in 2026, two-thirds more than last year and enough to surpass the boom years a decade ago.
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