Orbotix is a Boulder, Colorado-based developer of connected toys. The company builds products such as Sphero and Ollie that combine consumer electronics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and robotic hardware. These devices bring mobile and augmented reality games to smartphones. Orbotix intends to use the funds to continue to develop the products and the platform and expand operations. The company raised $15.5M in funding from investors including Shea Ventures, Grishin Robotics and Foundry Group. Orbotix was founded by Ian Bernstein (CTO) and Adam Wilson and is led by CEO Paul Berberian. Orbotix is developing Sphero, a robotic ball that can be controlled by iOS and Android smartphones via Bluetooth. The device is positioned as a mixed-reality entertainment product that combines real-world play with virtual games and supports an open API for developers. Sphero can glow in thousands of different colors, will ship with multiple games and applications, and is slated for a Fall/holiday launch. At launch the company targets a retail price around $130. Orbotix is a 2010 TechStars graduate and is based in Boulder. The company recently completed a financing round to support its upcoming product launch. Orbotix works with consumer electronics companies and developers to bring phone-controlled open devices to market. The company is creating a new game platform that combines common physical objects, smartphones, and a software marketplace. Its first product is a robotic ball controlled by a smartphone. Orbotix is building an API layer that allows anyone to write software that controls the ball. The company plans to release a series of multiplayer games, including racing and sumo-type games, and expects a production-level unit by the end of 2010 with product availability in 2010. It has received funding from Foundry Group; no revenue or user metrics were disclosed.

Total raised

$21M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series D

Latest activity

May 2014