Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Capital has joined a cohort of top-tier global investors in a landmark USD 16 billion funding round for Waymo, Alphabet Inc.’s autonomous driving technology unit. The significant investment underscores the growing interest from major MENA funds in pioneering deep-tech and mobility solutions on a global scale.
A Landmark Round for Autonomous Mobility
The financing was led by prominent venture capital firms including Dragoneer Investment Group, DST Global, and Sequoia Capital. Mubadala Capital invested alongside a prestigious group of backers such as Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Silver Lake, Tiger Global, and T. Rowe Price, signaling strong market confidence in Waymo’s leadership in the self-driving space.
Saurabh Gupta, co-founder of DST Global, commented on the investment’s impact, stating, “Waymo has brought autonomous driving from science fiction to reality. It’s saving lives already, with significantly fewer serious injury crashes compared to human drivers. As it scales in 2026 and beyond, Waymo will boost productivity and accessibility for millions while improving road safety worldwide.”
Fuelling Global Expansion and Safety
The infusion of capital is earmarked to accelerate Waymo’s strategic growth initiatives. The company plans to expand its global footprint, increase its autonomous vehicle fleet, grow its team, and continue its investment in its industry-leading safety standards.
“This infusion of capital will ensure we are positioned to move forward with unprecedented velocity, while maintaining our industry-leading safety standards,” said Waymo co-Chief Executive Officers Tekedra Mawakana and Dmitri Dolgov in a joint statement.
Commercial Traction and Market Leadership
Waymo has already established a strong commercial presence, operating fully driverless, fare-based ride-hailing services in six US cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles. The company also partners with Uber Technologies to offer autonomous rides in markets like Austin and Atlanta.
With this new funding, Waymo is preparing for a rapid expansion across the United States and is planning an international launch in the United Kingdom later this year.
About Waymo
Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with a mission to make it safe and easy for people and things to get where they’re going. The Waymo Driver is designed to navigate the complexities of city driving, from handling dense traffic to safely maneuvering around pedestrians and cyclists, and is currently being deployed in ride-hailing and goods delivery services.
Source: Waya
