Total amount raised
$1.4 Billion
Latest funding date
10/1/2024
Location
WeRide has successfully raised funding over 10 rounds, with the latest being a Post-IPO Equity round. The company is backed by 34 investors, including notable names like Grab and Uber.
Keep reading to explore the intricacies of WeRide's fundraising journey and the investors backing this innovative platform.
What Is WeRide?
WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, operates in industries such as Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Vehicles, Computer, and Software. The company is headquartered in Guangzhou Shi, Guangdong, China, and employs between 1001-5000 people.
Founded almost six years ago, WeRide has established a significant presence in over 40 cities across 11 countries. The company is publicly traded on Nasdaq and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and it has been recognized in Fortune's 2025 Change the World and 2025 Future 50 lists.
How Much Funding Has WeRide Raised?
- Seed Round
- Amount Raised: Not publicly disclosed
- Date: October 2017
- Lead Investors: Qiming Venture Partners
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To kickstart the development of WeRide's autonomous driving technology.
- Series A
- Amount Raised: Not publicly disclosed
- Date: October 2018
- Lead Investors: Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To expand research and development efforts and accelerate market entry.
- Series B
- Amount Raised: USD 300,000,000
- Date: January 2021
- Lead Investors: Zhengzhou Yutong Bus
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To scale operations and enhance autonomous driving capabilities.
- Series C
- Amount Raised: USD 310,000,000
- Date: May 2021
- Lead Investors: China Structural Reform Fund, IDG Capital
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support the deployment of autonomous vehicles in new markets.
- Series D
- Amount Raised: USD 400,000,000
- Date: December 2021
- Lead Investors: Asia Investment Capital, China-Arab Investment Funds
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To further develop and commercialize L4 autonomous driving technology.
- Corporate Round
- Amount Raised: USD 100,000,000
- Date: October 2022
- Lead Investors: China Development Bank Capital
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To strengthen strategic partnerships and expand technological capabilities.
- Post-IPO Equity
- Amount Raised: USD 320,500,000
- Date: October 2024
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: Over $4 billion
- Motivation Behind the Round: To capitalize on positive investor sentiment and regulatory easing for U.S. listings.
- Post-IPO Equity
- Amount Raised: USD 100,000,000
- Date: May 2025
- Lead Investors: Uber
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support global expansion and technological advancements.
- Post-IPO Equity
- Amount Raised: Not publicly disclosed
- Date: August 2025
- Lead Investors: Grab
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To enhance market presence in Southeast Asia.
- Post-IPO Equity
- Amount Raised: USD 308,000,000
- Date: November 2025
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To accelerate the deployment of autonomous driving technology.
Total Amount Raised: USD 1,838,500,000. Current Valuation: Over $4 billion.
Key Investors
- Grab
- Details: Grab is a leading ride-hailing and logistics company in Southeast Asia. It has expanded its services to include financial services and food delivery.
- Investment Focus Areas: Ride-hailing, logistics, financial services.
- Notable Investments: Southeast Asia's ride-hailing and logistics sectors.
- Uber
- Details: Uber is a global ride-hailing giant that also offers food delivery and freight services. It has been a pioneer in the development of autonomous vehicle technology.
- Investment Focus Areas: Ride-hailing, food delivery, freight, autonomous vehicles.
- Notable Investments: Global ride-hailing, food delivery, autonomous vehicle technologies.
- The Carlyle Group
- Details: The Carlyle Group is a global investment firm with a diverse portfolio, including private equity, real assets, and private credit. It has a significant presence in various industries worldwide.
- Investment Focus Areas: Aerospace, defense, government services, consumer & retail, energy, financial services, healthcare, industrial, real estate, technology, telecommunications.
- Notable Investments: Booz Allen Hamilton, Dunkin' Brands, Supreme.
- Idinvest Partners
- Details: Idinvest Partners is a European private equity and venture capital firm that focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises. It has a strong presence in the technology and healthcare sectors.
- Investment Focus Areas: Technology, healthcare, consumer products.
- Notable Investments: Criteo, Meero, Onfido.
- Morgan Stanley
- Details: Morgan Stanley is a global financial services firm offering investment banking, securities, wealth management, and investment management services. It has a strong track record in tech investments.
- Investment Focus Areas: Investment banking, securities, wealth management, investment management.
- Notable Investments: Tesla, Uber, Airbnb.
What's Next for WeRide?
WeRide's future is brimming with opportunities, particularly in the U.S. market, where it has already raised $440.5 million through an IPO and private placement. This expansion is bolstered by a growing interest in autonomous driving technology and favorable regulatory adjustments, positioning WeRide to capitalize on a market valued at over $4 billion.
Future fundraising prospects look promising, with potential additional proceeds from underwriters and a favorable environment for Chinese companies listing in the U.S. The autonomous vehicle sector's momentum, driven by advancements in AI and easing regulatory hurdles, suggests continued investor interest and potential for further capital influx.
However, WeRide faces significant challenges, including stringent safety standards and potential U.S. regulatory hurdles. The technology's limitations in adverse conditions and national security concerns regarding Chinese tech in autonomous vehicles could pose obstacles. Despite these challenges, WeRide's strategic positioning and robust financial backing offer a solid foundation for future growth.
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