AMP Robotics Corp. (“AMP”), a leading provider of AI-powered sortation systems in the waste and recycling industry, has successfully raised $91 million in corporate equity through a Series D financing round. The round was led by Congruent Ventures, with significant contributions from both current and new investors. These include Sequoia Capital, XN, Blue Earth Capital, Liberty Mutual Investments, the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS), Wellington Management, Range Ventures, and Tao Capital Partners.
The funds raised will allow AMP to accelerate the deployment of its AMP ONE™ systems, which have already demonstrated their effectiveness in sorting municipal solid waste (MSW). A prime example of this is the first-of-its-kind AMP ONE system operating in Portsmouth, Virginia. This system has proven that cost-effective waste sortation is possible on a large scale. Additionally, AMP recently entered into an agreement with Waste Connections, Inc. (TSX/NYSE: WCN) to equip and operate one of Waste Connections’ single-stream recycling facilities in Colorado. The AMP ONE system offers a comprehensive solution that sorts multiple material streams, ensuring that valuable recyclables are recovered, rather than being lost to landfills or incineration.
“Recycling rates have stagnated in the United States, despite the clear economic and environmental benefits of recycling,” said Matanya Horowitz, founder of AMP. “This latest investment allows us to scale up and take on larger projects that will deliver tangible benefits for waste companies and municipalities. We are lowering sorting costs, recovering more valuable materials, diverting organic waste, and extending the life of landfills—all while helping the industry optimize its resources.”
AMP’s AI-driven technology is at the heart of its waste-sorting solutions. The company’s deep learning algorithms continuously improve by processing millions of images of different materials. By using pattern recognition, the system can identify recyclable items and contaminants based on their colors, textures, shapes, sizes, and logos. This real-time processing enables AMP’s systems to perform advanced sorting tasks and handle a variety of materials, even those with complex chemistries or new recycling requirements.
Initially, AMP deployed robots to sort materials in existing recycling facilities, with minimal retrofitting. The success of these robots led to the development of larger, next-generation recycling facilities. These advanced facilities have achieved near-zero manual sorting, offering exceptional reliability and an abundance of data, making the recovery of recyclable commodities safer and more efficient than ever before. This technology has paved the way for the sorting of municipal solid waste (MSW), an area that was previously unattainable for the industry.
Abe Yokell, co-founder and managing partner of Congruent Ventures, commented, “AMP’s AI-driven sortation systems enable communities to recycle more effectively—whether or not they have curbside separation. These systems help recover valuable commodities while reducing the reliance on landfills. AMP is a prime example of how AI can make a real-world impact. Their solutions will divert billions of tons of recyclable materials from landfills, reducing emissions in the process.”
Tim Stuart, CEO of AMP, emphasized, “AMP is uniquely positioned to lower costs and enhance performance in the recovery of commodities, contributing to greater landfill diversion. This investment helps us push the boundaries of what’s possible in waste and recycling management at a critical time. We are grateful to our investors, both old and new, for their support in helping us shape the future of sustainable materials management and resource efficiency.”
In addition to this significant investment, AMP recently bolstered its leadership team by appointing Tim Stuart as CEO. Stuart, previously the chief operating officer of Republic Services Inc. (NYSE: RSG), brings a wealth of experience to the role. Founder Matanya Horowitz has transitioned into the role of chief technology officer, allowing him to focus on continuing to drive innovation in AMP’s cutting-edge technologies.
With this new round of funding and strategic leadership changes, AMP Robotics is poised to revolutionize the waste and recycling industry. By leveraging AI-powered sortation systems, the company is not only improving the efficiency of recycling processes but also helping to create a more sustainable future by reducing landfill waste and promoting resource recovery on a global scale.
