On the Dash:
- Waymo is seeking about $16 billion in funding at a valuation near $110 billion.
- Alphabet is expected to provide most of the funding, alongside several major outside investors.
- The fundraising effort comes as Waymo expands robotaxi services while facing increased safety investigations.
Waymo, the autonomous driving unit of Alphabet, is seeking to raise about $16 billion in a new financing round that would value the company at nearly $110 billion, according to Bloomberg News.
Alphabet is expected to contribute roughly $13 billion to the round, with the remaining capital coming from outside investors. Those investors include Sequoia Capital, DST Global, and Dragoneer Investment Group, according to people familiar with the matter.
The potential funding round comes as Waymo continues to scale its commercial robotaxi operations while facing heightened regulatory and safety scrutiny. Waymo is currently the only company in the United States operating paid robotaxi services without safety drivers or in-vehicle attendants. The company’s fleet includes more than 2,500 autonomous vehicles.
Alphabet carved Waymo out of Google’s self-driving car project in 2016. Since then, the company has focused on developing fully autonomous driving technology and expanding real-world deployments. In December, The Information reported that Waymo was already in talks to raise funding at a valuation of at least $100 billion, signaling strong investor interest in the autonomous vehicle sector.
The reported fundraising effort underscores the accelerating race to commercialize autonomous mobility. Leading developers continue to invest heavily in technology refinement, operational scale, and regulatory engagement as they compete for long-term market leadership.
The financing discussions also emerge amid renewed safety concerns. Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it opened an investigation after a Waymo autonomous vehicle struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California. The child sustained minor injuries, according to federal officials.
The incident has added pressure to an industry already facing close oversight from regulators and the public. Safety performance remains a central issue as autonomous vehicle companies push toward broader deployment.
Alphabet did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Waymo has said it remains focused on safety-led operations and advancing its autonomous driving technology to meet demand for driverless mobility.
