Jeff Bezos, the founder and former CEO of Amazon, has earned a reputation for identifying transformative opportunities within emerging technologies. From his early investments in Google, X (formerly Twitter), Airbnb, and Uber—companies that have reshaped entire sectors—Bezos is now betting heavily on artificial intelligence (AI).

Bezos’s 2024 investment spree has captured attention both for its scale and focus, with at least nine AI startups receiving his backing. His areas of interest signal where he believes the next big advancements—and financial returns—may come: AI-powered robotics, foundational AI platforms, and the infrastructure that will support the next wave of digital innovation.

Spotlight on Bezos-Backed AI Startups

Here’s a look at seven of the most notable AI startups in Bezos’s 2024 portfolio, their current trajectories, and what their development could mean for the AI sector at large.

Swiss-Mile

Based in Zurich, Swiss-Mile has garnered headlines with its agile, headless robotic ‘dogs’ mounted on wheels capable of delivering items across indoor and outdoor spaces. In early 2024, Bezos co-led a $22 million funding round alongside venture leaders such as Toyota Ventures.

The startup’s robust mobility, navigational AI, and adaptability make Swiss-Mile a leader in logistics robotics. In an interview, co-founder Marko Bjelonic highlighted Bezos’s technical curiosity and due diligence in robotics and AI system training before finalizing his investment.

Figure AI

Figure AI is at the forefront of developing humanoid robots designed to collaborate with humans in sectors like logistics, manufacturing, and retail. Amazon, with more than 750,000 robots already deployed, exemplifies the rising demand for automated labor augmentation.

In February 2024, Figure AI was valued at $2.6 billion following a significant funding round involving Bezos Expeditions, Microsoft, OpenAI Startup Fund, and Nvidia. Industry observers believe that widespread deployment of humanoid robots is no longer a fantasy; pilot projects with BMW and substantial partnerships with logistics companies are underway.

Skild AI

Skild AI is advancing the cognitive capabilities of robotics, focusing on the software “brain” that allows physical machines to learn and adapt in dynamic settings. CEO Deepak Pathak envisions Skild’s technology as accelerating the march toward artificial general intelligence (AGI), where robots can transfer knowledge across diverse tasks.

In April 2024, Skild AI announced a $300 million Series A funding led by Bezos, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Coatue, with the intention of expanding research, hiring top AI talent, and securing enterprise pilot deployments across logistics, hospitality, and even healthcare.

Physical Intelligence

Physical Intelligence addresses one of robotics’ most practical frontiers—deploying intelligent machines into hazardous, labor-intensive environments. From mining to construction, these robots aim to mitigate worker safety risks while enhancing productivity.

The startup counts Jeff Bezos and OpenAI among its marquee investors. Physical Intelligence is reportedly in talks with leading mining and industrial conglomerates across North America and Europe. The hope is that within two years, dangerous tasks such as deep shaft drilling, hazardous materials handling, and infrastructure inspection will be routinely performed by advanced AI-driven robots.

Perplexity AI

As Google faces increasing scrutiny and competition, Perplexity AI is positioning itself as the search engine of the future, built around large language models for fast, conversational, and context-aware answers. In March 2024, Perplexity AI closed a fundraise led by investors including Bezos Expeditions, IVP, and NEA, bringing its post-money valuation to $1 billion.

Usage has skyrocketed, with daily active users surpassing 10 million by mid-2025. Perplexity is now integrating both paid and enterprise-grade offerings, directly challenging Google’s dominance—and indicating that search, a core pillar of the internet economy, is ripe for disruption.

Tenstorrent

Tenstorrent sits at the intersection of AI and advanced semiconductors, designing powerful, energy-efficient chips optimized for training and inference on massive AI models. In December 2024, Tenstorrent raised over $100 million in a round led by Jeff Bezos and Fidelity, aiming to offer an alternative to Nvidia’s high-priced and supply-constrained GPUs.

With demand for AI chips expected to more than double by 2027—projections suggest the market could exceed $300 billion—Tenstorrent is rapidly building manufacturing and design partnerships, especially in Asia and North America. Their open-architecture approach, attracting support from automotive and cloud providers, sets them apart in a highly competitive space.

Outgo

While not strictly an AI firm, Outgo addresses critical financial pain points for logistics operators—freight payments, expense management, and real-time cash flow tracking. Bezos’s investment in Outgo reinforces his ongoing interest in streamlining the backbone systems of e-commerce and delivery.

Outgo’s 2024 product expansion has seen adoption by thousands of cross-border logistics firms and brokerages. The company is also experimenting with embedded AI tools for fraud detection and predictive financial analytics, catering to a sector in dire need of modernization.

Other Noteworthy Bets

In addition to these seven companies, Bezos has also invested in Contextual AI—a startup focused on more accurate contextual recognition for enterprise AI solutions—and Magnolia, which leverages AI to support caregivers and healthcare workers. According to Forbes Australia, Bezos’s diverse mix suggests both a commitment to fundamental AI technologies and a belief in AI’s ability to solve real-world problems across industries.

Can Retail Investors Follow Bezos’s Lead?

When news breaks about Jeff Bezos backing a new AI startup, investor interest spikes. Nevertheless, most of these startups are private entities, typically open only to accredited investors with minimums in the millions. For now, the path for public market investors to ride these trends is through listed giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, Nvidia, or Alphabet—each heavily investing in, or even partnering with, these AI disruptors.

Some emerging brands may pursue IPOs or SPAC mergers in the coming years, but short-term access remains limited. For investors wanting exposure to the AI gold rush, sector ETFs (like Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF, BOTZ) or AI-focused mutual funds can offer diversified approaches with lower risk.

Takeaway: The Bezos AI Effect

Bezos’s investments serve as validation for ambitious AI entrepreneurs and as beacons for institutions tracking the next big wave of technological disruption. From reshaping labor markets to challenging the dominance of entrenched digital giants, these startups could set the pace for the 2025–2030 AI renaissance. Investors should watch for new funding rounds, product launches, and—eventually—public offerings that could open doors to broader participation.