Jeff Cardenas is the co-founder and CEO of Apptronik, a robotics company building humanoid robots that work safely with people to handle tough jobs. He focuses on practical tools that make everyday work simpler and safer. Jeff earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He later completed a Master’s in Technology Commercialization there, gaining skills to move ideas from research to real use. Early on, he served as a senior consultant at Deloitte Consulting in their technology group. There, he guided companies through product launches and strategy, building a strong base in hands-on development.
He also co-founded startups and the Civic Technology Foundation, a non-profit applying tech to community needs. These experiences sharpened his ability to find opportunities and make technology practical for everyone.
Founding Apptronik
Jeff co-founded Apptronik in 2016 as a spin-out from UT Austin’s Human Centered Robotics Lab. The focus was clear: design human-like robots to fit into people-sized spaces for tasks such as warehouse lifting. As Director of Product Development, I advanced to VP of Strategy and Product, then Chief Strategy Officer, and became CEO in 2022. His experience drove the shift from lab prototypes to reliable robots, such as exoskeletons and humanoids.
Apptronik’s Apollo robot is 5 ‘8 ” tall, weighs 160 pounds, lifts 55 pounds, and operates for four hours per battery charge. It manages jobs such as case picking, palletizing, and trailer unloading, helping address labor gaps and injuries.
Leadership
JeJeff guides his team with emphasis on collaboration and tangible outcomes, staying “laser-focused” on robots that support people. He sees robots as “true partners” to humans, not replacements. His practical style includes open updates on progress, such as production scaling with Jabil. Jeff prioritizes safety, such as Apollo’s speed reduction near people, and recruits people dedicated to human-centered design. He creates a team environment for solving hard problems together, using his consulting background to link strategy with operations. This direct approach speeds up projects without extra hurdles.
Achievements
Jeff led Apptronik to raise over $935 million in Series A funding by early 2026, including a $350 million round in February 2025 and a $520 million extension at a $5 billion valuation. This ranks it among the top three in funding for humanoid robotics.
The company reached unicorn status in 2025 and formed partnerships with Google DeepMind, Mercedes-Benz, GXO Logistics, and Jabil, while launching Elevate Robotics. Apollo earned honors such as Fast Company’s 2025 Innovation by Design, CNBC’s Disruptor 50, and A-LIST Manufacturing Excellence.
Trials in manufacturing and logistics show Apollo improving efficiency, handling repetitive tasks to lower turnover, and cutting overexertion injuries, which account for a third of workplace cases. These results validate Jeff’s push for workable, scalable robots.
Jeff’s practical style shows in his commitment to “robots for humans,” tools that let people focus on meaningful work. He calls humanoid development “the space race of our time,” with the U.S. leading in a competitive field. He combines business insight with a goal to better society, from non-profits to solutions for labor challenges. Jeff stays team-oriented, marking milestones like funding with shared pride.
For the future, he targets Apollo enhancements in 2026, growth into retail, healthcare, and homes, and production of thousands of units. Jeff seeks to establish a “global benchmark” for adaptable robots that reshape industries with safety and ease.
