With investors showing genuine interest in artificial intelligence (AI) businesses, it's unsurprising that Figure AI stock is on their radars. Founded in 2022, Figure strives to develop humanlike robots embedded with AI technology. The company doesn't mince words about its ambitions, stating, "Our product and our mission are one and the same: to bring a commercially viable humanoid to market."
Artificial Intelligence
The humanoid robot market is in its nascent stage of development, but analysts expect the market to grow considerably in the coming years. Goldman Sachs (GS 0.43%), for example, projects that the total addressable market will soar to $38 billion by 2035.
Figure's founder and CEO, Brett Adcock, recognizes numerous applications for its humanoid robots. From serving in corporate capacities, such as warehouses, to assisting with the elderly and even participating in space activities, Adcock -- who also founded Archer Aviation (ACHR 5.31%) -- imagines Figure can address labor demands that are currently unmet.
Investors may initially find the company's story appealing. However, they also need to know when it will hold its potential initial public offering (IPO) and whether any other investment opportunities exist.
IPO
Publicly traded?
Is Figure AI publicly traded?
As of April 2024, Figure was not a publicly traded company, so people interested in investing in it must look for other options. Although Figure stock is unavailable to most investors, several recognizable companies have picked up equity stakes.
In February 2024, Figure announced it had raised $675 million during a Series B funding round, valuing the company at $2.6 billion and earning it unicorn status. Microsoft (MSFT 1.07%), OpenAI, Nvidia (NVDA -0.75%), Jeff Bezos, and ARK Invest, among others, participated in the funding round.
When will it IPO?
When will Figure AI IPO?
Having completed its Series B funding round, Figure had not disclosed any plans for a public offering as of April 2024. While investors may be disappointed that Figure isn't on the 2024 IPO calendar, a variety of other companies plan IPOs in 2024, leaving investors with plenty of other options to buy IPO stocks.
Who can invest?
Who can invest in Figure AI stock?
Figure AI is unavailable to most investors. However, people who qualify as accredited investors may be able to gain exposure to Figure before its IPO through a platform like Forge Global (FRGE 1.22%).
Those who aren't accredited investors but whose interests are piqued at the prospect of buying Figure stock may be disheartened to learn that the investment option is unavailable. Still, there are other opportunities they may find appealing. Here are a few alternatives to consider.
1. Nvidia
Nvidia, one of the most recognizable AI stocks on the market today, is an obvious choice for investors seeking an alternative to Figure. Since Nvidia participated in Figure's Series B funding round, providing a $50 million investment, investors can gain indirect exposure to Figure by buying Nvidia stock.
Nvidia is also exploring its own solutions for facilitating the development of humanoid robots. In March 2024, Nvidia announced Groot, which it characterizes as a "general-purpose foundation model that promises to transform humanoid robot learning in simulation and the real world."
Broadly speaking, Nvidia announced several solutions -- an upgraded Isaac platform, for example -- that are helping leading companies, like Boston Dynamics, Agility Robotics, and Figure, with model training in the pursuit of advancing humanoid robotics.
2. Symbotic
The company may not make robots in human form, but Symbotic (SYM 3.37%) is a leader in manufacturing AI-enabled robots that provide an autonomous solution to keep the supply chain moving. The value the company offers customers is hardly trivial.
According to Symbotic, its platform fulfills orders with 99.9999% accuracy, helping customers reduce operating costs. And we're not talking about small-time customers. In addition to Walmart (WMT 0.36%), Symbotic's customers include retail leaders like Target (TGT 0.13%) and Albertsons (ACI -0.49%).
In January 2025, Symbotic announced its plan to acquire Walmart's Advanced Systems and Robotics business. With the acquisition, Symbotic estimates more than $5 billion will be added to its backlog.
Investors interested in the growth opportunity Figure represents may find Symbotic especially appealing. Over the next 15 years, Symbotic predicts a $144 billion available market.
3. Intuitive Surgical
Patients won't call these robots "Doctor." However, Intuitive Surgical (ISRG 0.14%) manufactures robot systems, like its da Vinci surgical system, which assist surgeons in performing minimally invasive procedures in the operating room.
Since doctors were first able to enlist the help of the da Vinci system, it has been utilized in over 14.2 million urology, gynecology, and general surgery procedures conducted in more than 9,100 hospitals worldwide.
In March 2024, Intuitive announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted clearance to its fifth-generation surgical system platform, da Vinci 5. This platform has 150 improvements over previous models, including greater computing power and force-sense technology.
Management expects continued adoption of its systems, with da Vinci procedures expected to increase by approximately 13% to 16% in 2025 compared to 2024.
How to invest
Investing in Figure AI alternatives
Here's how you would go about investing in those other options:
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select the order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
Profitability
Is Figure AI profitable?
Because Figure isn't held to the same standards as publicly traded companies, investors don't have a true sense of the company's financial situation based on regulatory filings. In January 2025, however, Brett Adcock provided a peek into the company's financial status in a LinkedIn posting, revealing that the company had begun generating sales.
"Exciting news -- today, Figure officially became a revenue-generating company! This week, we delivered F.02 humanoid robots to our commercial client, & they're currently hard at work. It marks 31 months from filing our C-Corp to getting to humanoid robot revenue."Brett Adcock
While Figure has started collecting revenue, it's still unclear whether the company is generating a profit.
Should I invest?
Should I invest in Figure AI?
Without holding an IPO, Figure is not an investment option for retail investors. If the company takes steps toward an IPO, it will be required to submit regulatory filings that will provide investors with a better sense of its financial situation, enabling them to make informed decisions about whether the stock is right for them.
Accredited investors, though, may be able to gain exposure to Figure now. But since the company isn't generating revenue and its financial situation isn't well known, an investment in Figure should only appeal to people comfortable with substantial risk.
ETF options
ETFs with exposure to Figure AI
Since Figure isn't a publicly traded company, no exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provide exposure to the stock. But investors aren't completely out of luck. Some AI ETFs provide investment opportunities that will grab investors' attention.
1. First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (ROBT -1.03%): With 101 holdings, the First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF is a great choice for investors interested in gaining broad exposure to companies paving the way forward in AI and robotics. The fund has a 0.65% expense ratio and contains many semiconductor stocks that assist with AI leanings found in robotics.
Palantir (PLTR 4.06%), an AI stock, and Valeo (OTC:VLEEY), a designer and manufacturer of automotive parts and systems, represent the largest and second-largest holdings, respectively. True to the ETF's name, there are also robotics-focused stocks, like Intuitive Surgical and Cognex (CGNX -0.71%), a leading developer of machine-vision systems.
2. Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (NASDAQ:BOTZ): People wanting more concentrated exposure to industry leaders Nvidia and Intuitive Surgical may find the Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF appealing. Nvidia is the largest position in the ETF, accounting for 12.5% of its assets, while Intuitive Surgical represents 11.2%. The ETF has a 0.68% expense ratio and makes semiannual distributions.
3. ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ 0.56%): If you're interested in a more aggressive selection of holdings in your robotics ETF, this one is the answer. Cathie Wood's ETF includes industry stalwarts like Tesla (TSLA 5.33%), its largest holding, and AI-focused semiconductor manufacturers like Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM -0.56%), and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD -0.61%).
But the ETF also holds a number of smaller growth companies, such as launch services specialist Rocket Lab (RKLB 2.16%), drone manufacturer AeroVironment (AVAV -0.08%), and air mobility specialist Archer Aviation. The ETF has a 0.75% expense ratio.
Related investing topics
The bottom line on Figure AI
Considering the substantial growth that lies ahead for the humanoid robots market, it's no wonder investors are keenly interested in Figure. At this point, though, most investors will have to wait until the company holds an IPO before they can add the stock to their portfolios.
There are still several compelling options -- Nvidia, Symbotic, and Intuitive Surgical, as well as AI and robotics ETFs -- investors can pursue while they wait for Figure to become publicly traded. While they wait, they can certainly follow the company's progress with its BMW deal and any others that become public.
FAQ
Investing in Figure AI FAQ
Is Figure AI publicly traded?
As of February 2025, Figure was not a publicly traded company, and there are no indications that it plans an IPO in the foreseeable future.
Can you invest in Figure AI?
Most investors can't buy Figure stock since it hasn't held an IPO yet. However, accredited investors may be able to gain exposure through a platform like Forge Global.
How do I buy stock in AI?
There are various ways to buy AI stocks. Besides buying semiconductor manufacturers, you can find a company that relies on AI solutions, such as UiPath (NASDAQ:PATH), or even an AI-focused ETF.
What is the best AI stock to invest in?
No single AI stock represents the best opportunity for every investor. For some, Nvidia may be the ideal choice. Others may find Arm Holdings more compelling since it includes Nvidia and other industry leaders as its customers.
