Jeff Bezos is preparing to raise a $100 billion fund aimed at acquiring manufacturing companies and applying artificial intelligence to automate their operations, according to reports from TheStreet, Zero Hedge, and TechCrunch. The fund, which is in early negotiation stages, targets industries such as semiconductor fabrication, defense, and aerospace, and is connected to Bezos’ AI startup Project Prometheus, founded in 2025. This initiative reflects Bezos' expanding focus on industrial AI following his departure from Amazon's CEO role in 2021.
The $100 billion fund is reportedly attracting interest from sovereign wealth funds based in the Middle East and Singapore, as noted by Raw Story. Bezos plans to use the investment vehicle not only to acquire firms but also to modernize them through artificial intelligence-driven automation, potentially reshaping global manufacturing dynamics. Additionally, Bezos envisions ambitious projects like creating orbital data centers powered by solar energy within the next one to two decades, aiming to support continuous AI operation.
In a concrete step towards automation, Amazon has acquired Swiss robotics startup Rivr, known for developing four-legged and stair-climbing delivery robots, according to Entrepreneur, TechCrunch, and Engadget. Rivr’s robotic technology is set to assist delivery associates by carrying packages from vehicles to customers’ doorsteps, enhancing the efficiency and customer experience of Amazon’s logistics network, Euronews reports. This acquisition marks a tangible move into automating last-mile delivery logistics.
Rivr’s autonomous robots specifically target the challenge of navigating diverse terrains, including stairs, which could streamline complex delivery environments, according to TechCrunch’s coverage. Integration of these robots into Amazon’s delivery operations is actively underway as part of the broader strategy to implement robotics and automation across multiple facets of the company’s supply chain.
The $100 billion fund and the Rivr acquisition signal a significant industrial pivot with implications for the future of manufacturing and logistics. Observers will closely follow the fundraising progress and the rollout of AI-driven automation in acquired companies, as well as how Amazon scales Rivr’s robotic solutions in real-world delivery scenarios over the coming years. The success of these initiatives could influence industrial labor markets and the adoption of AI across global manufacturing sectors.
Rivr
Amazon
Jeff Bezos
Wall Street Journal
