Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company Waymo, a leader in Waymo autonomous vehicles, is in advanced discussions to raise as much as $15 billion in new funding, a move that could significantly strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving self-driving industry. People familiar with the matter say the talks, which are ongoing and expected to continue into early 2026, could place Waymo’s valuation at $100 billion or higher, marking a sharp increase from its previous funding round completed in late 2024.
While final terms have not yet been set, the proposed funding round is expected to be led by Alphabet, with potential participation from outside investors. If completed at the upper end of expectations, the raise would rank among the largest private financings in the autonomous vehicle sector, reflecting rising investor confidence in Waymo’s commercial readiness and long-term prospects. Waymo has not publicly commented on the discussions.
The funding comes at a time when large technology firms are increasingly selective about long-term bets, suggesting that Waymo’s progress with Waymo autonomous vehicles has reached a level that justifies continued large-scale investment.
Expanding Robotaxi Operations and Technology
Waymo has emerged as a frontrunner in autonomous ride-hailing, operating fully driverless robotaxi services across multiple U.S. cities. Unlike many competitors still reliant on safety drivers, Waymo has scaled paid passenger services without human operators in several urban markets, demonstrating both technical maturity and regulatory approval.
The company has steadily expanded its fleet and service areas, offering hundreds of thousands of autonomous rides each week. The capital raised through the new funding round is expected to support further fleet expansion, infrastructure development, and entry into additional domestic and international markets.
Beyond ride-hailing, Waymo continues to refine its autonomous driving systems through real-world data collection and machine learning improvements. Executives have previously emphasized that sustained investment is critical to lowering costs, improving reliability, and making Waymo autonomous vehicles a mainstream option rather than a niche service.
Competitive Landscape and Strategic Importance for Alphabet
Waymo’s fundraising efforts unfold amid intensifying competition in the autonomous mobility space. Several major automakers and technology companies are accelerating their own self-driving programs, viewing autonomous transportation as a transformative opportunity for logistics, personal mobility, and urban planning.
Despite the crowded field, analysts widely view Waymo as holding a lead due to its operational scale, safety record, and years of accumulated driving data. While competitors continue to test and refine their systems, Waymo’s ability to operate commercially across multiple cities gives it a tangible advantage.
For Alphabet, Waymo remains one of the most prominent ventures within its “Other Bets” portfolio. A successful funding round would not only support Waymo’s expansion but also reinforce Alphabet’s broader strategy of investing heavily in artificial intelligence-driven technologies with long-term impact.
As discussions progress, the outcome of Waymo’s fundraising could serve as a key indicator of investor sentiment toward autonomous vehicles and whether large-scale commercial deployment of Waymo autonomous vehicles is finally approaching a tipping point.
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