Why have Nvidia and Uber chosen to support this small $900 million AI company?

Next time you spot a food delivery robot maneuvering over uneven pavement or weaving through a busy crosswalk, take a closer look. That small robot ferrying a lamb gyro to someone a few blocks away could have some major supporters backing its journey.

Nvidia ( NVDA 2.83%) and Uber ( UBER 0.79%) were among the first to invest in Serve Robotics ( SERV 10.47%), a trailblazer in the field of delivery robots. However, Serve is not alone in this space—other ambitious companies are also racing to master the last leg of urban deliveries using advanced robots. Last year, Serve Robotics brought in just $1.8 million in revenue and had only 57 robots operating daily as 2025 approached.

But Serve Robotics shouldn't be counted out. The company boasts an interesting backstory, high-profile investors, a notable appearance in a hit Netflix comedy special last year, and significant partnerships that could accelerate its growth.

Calling for a quick ride

Uber's involvement with Serve Robotics is straightforward: it came with the package. When Uber acquired Postmates five years ago in an all-stock deal valued at $2.65 billion, the goal was to expand its reach for both drivers and customers as Uber Eats rapidly grew. The surge in demand for food and grocery delivery apps after the pandemic made Postmates a valuable asset in the competitive landscape.

Hidden within Postmates' assets was a budding venture focused on autonomous deliveries: Serve Robotics. Uber initially saw it as a potential distraction and spun it off in 2021. Currently, Uber shareholders hold just a 12% interest in Serve Robotics.

Nvidia's partnership with Serve Robotics followed a more typical route. The companies worked together to integrate Nvidia's AI technology into Serve's autonomous delivery vehicles. Nvidia invested $12 million in Serve Robotics in 2022, which translated to an 8% ownership stake two years later.

For the world's most valuable company by market capitalization, this was a relatively modest investment. Nvidia is known for supporting ventures that could generate additional business. Regardless, Nvidia didn't hold onto its shares for long—it sold its entire stake for a substantial profit in the last quarter of the previous year.

Waiter, there's a robot in my soup

"Why use a 2-ton vehicle to deliver a 2-pound burrito?" Serve Robotics poses this question on its homepage.

"Why put money into a $900 million company that failed to reach $2 million in revenue last year?" That's the question some investors might be pondering.

Wall Street has its own response: it believes Serve Robotics deserves a higher valuation. Even after a 16% drop in Friday's trading, Serve Robotics' stock has climbed nearly 60% over the past year. Nvidia hasn't seen similar gains since it exited its position late last year, but the company likely has no regrets—it secured a significant profit from a small investment in a short period. Nvidia remains in a strong position.

Uber is working to ensure its remaining shares continue to grow in value. Remember those 57 Serve Robotics units on the streets at the end of last year? In 2025 alone, Uber Eats has deployed an additional 1,000 robots, with 380 added just last month. The company aims to have 2,000 delivery robots operating by year-end.

Even Uber's competitor DoorDash ( DASH 2.81%) has joined forces with Serve Robotics. Last week, DoorDash signed a multi-year agreement to begin using Serve's robots for deliveries. While Serve Robotics may not achieve profitability soon, its revenue growth is expected to be rapid for at least the next several years.