NIO Capital Updates

 

▌Seyond Lists on Hong Kong Stock Exchange

 

Seyond, a leading provider of high-performance LiDAR sensors and a long-term strategic partner of NIO Capital, has successfully listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. As an early industrial investor, NIO Capital has maintained steadfast confidence in Seyond’s innovation and growth potential since its initial investment in 2018. 

 

The collaboration between NIO Capital, NIO, and Seyond—built on capital alignment and industrial synergy—enabled deep cooperation in the research, development, and mass production of automotive-grade LiDAR. This partnership led to the world’s first mass production of image-grade high-definition LiDAR.

 

 

▌NIO Capital Named in Zero2IPO's 2025 Top 50 VC and Top 20 AI Investment Institutions List

 

NIO Capital has been recognized on Zero2IPO's annual rankings for the sixth consecutive year, securing places on both the 2025 Top 50 Venture Capital Institutions and Top 20 AI Investment Institutions lists. 

 

Zero2IPO Research noted that the listed institutions lead in accurately capturing market trends, guiding high-quality companies through cycles, consistently creating value, and embracing innovation.

 

 

▌NIO Capital's Managing Partner Ian Zhu Selected for Multiple 2025 Industry Rankings

 

Ian Zhu, Managing Partner of NIO Capital, was honored in several prestigious 2025 industry lists. He was named among the "Top 30 Best VC Fund Investors" by the China FoF Research Center, while NIO Capital was ranked 20th in the "Top 50 Best VC Funds." 

 

Additionally, Zhu was again included in the "China Top 100 Best Venture Capitalists" list by ChinaVenture for 2025, marking his second consecutive year on the ranking.

 

 

▌NIO Capital Partner Yao Li Decodes AI Investing: Technology Leverage, Model Boundaries, and Data Flywheel

 

At the AI summit of the 25th China Venture Capital & Private Equity Annual Forum, hosted by Zero2IPO and PEdaily, NIO Capital Partner Yao Li joined a roundtable titled “The Offense and Defense of AI Investing.”

 

Li emphasized that AI is a long-cycle track. For investment targets, he focuses on three dimensions: technology leverage, model boundaries, and the data flywheel. Reflecting on these dimensions will also help startups better define their products and businesses.

 

▌Electrolyte Supplier GEO Announces Series B Funding, with NIO Capital Participating Again

 

Green Energy Origin (GEO), an electrolyte supplier, has officially announced its Series B financing round. NIO Capital, having previously invested in GEO's Series A, continued its support in this latest funding round.

 

Portfolio Updates

 

Milestones

 

▌Hiway Celebrates Production of 600,000th NOMI MATE Unit

 

Hiway, a smart cockpit solution provider, has marked the official roll-off of its 600,000th NOMI MATE product. The latest generation features a self-developed high-performance motor, expanding its horizontal rotation range to 340°—three times greater than the previous model—with a motion lifespan exceeding 10 million cycles and operational noise below 20dB.

 

 

▌LuminX Secures New Funding to Advance AI Chip and System Architecture R&D

 

Computing chip developer LuminX has completed a new round of financing. The funds will be used for core technology R&D, product commercialization, and ecosystem and market expansion. NIO Capital previously participated in its angel round and led its angel+ round.

 

▌XREAL Partners with Google to Showcase Project Aura and Launches Presales for AR Glass 1S

 

XREAL has partnered with Google to showcase key details of Project Aura and the Android XR system, described as the most complete hardware sample yet of the ideal Android XR form factor.

 

XREAL's capabilities in optics, chips, and spatial algorithms positioned Aura as Google's recognized path for AI+XR hardware implementation, termed Gemini AI's first native spatial eyes.

 

Separately, XREAL launched presales for its AR Glass 1S, which features a self-developed dedicated spatial computing chip X1, offering functions like portable image stabilization, adjustable virtual screen size/distance, and an ultra-wide display.

 

 

▌LimX Dynamics Launches Multi-Form Robot TRON 2

 

Robotics firm LimX Dynamics has launched its TRON 2 robot, priced starting at RMB 49,800. The platform features one base unit with three freely combinable forms, integrating high-performance dual arms with all-terrain bipedal mobility. It serves as a "one-stop" embodied development platform for VLA research, mobile manipulation, and full-body motion control across diverse scenarios and terrains.

 

 

▌United Winners Launches Intelligent Relay Production Line and Laser Cleaning Solution

 

United Winners, a supplier of laser welding equipment, introduced a smart relay production line solution and a UW positive electrode wide-format laser cleaning solution. 

 

The production line solution includes various automated welding and assembly lines, maintaining a defect rate of ≤50 PPM, reducing energy consumption by 30%, and achieving over 85% comprehensive efficiency. 

 

The laser cleaning solution integrates multi-station galvanometer processing control systems and proprietary wiping mechanisms for battery electrode pre-processing.

 

▌Sunman Energy's Light Steel Module Solution Powers 1.34MW Distributed PV Project in Kunming

 

Sunman Energy, a solar panel manufacturer, provided its lightweight, rigid module solution for a 1.34MW distributed photovoltaic project at the Kunming Uni-President Foods facility in Yunnan Province, which has been successfully deployed.

 

▌Pony.ai Launches Accessibility Features and Exceeds 2025 Robotaxi Target

 

Autonomous driving company Pony.ai has introduced new accessibility features in its Robotaxi service, including voice interaction and Bluetooth unlocking, guided via smartphone screen reader functions to assist visually impaired passengers with hailing, locating, and operating the vehicle. 

 

Furthermore, the company announced it has surpassed its 2025 target, operating over 1,159 Robotaxis as of December 31, 2025.

 

 

▌Momenta's R6 Reinforcement Learning Model Launches in Buick MPV

 

Momenta, a leading autonomous driving technology company, has seen its R6 reinforcement learning large model deployed in a Buick MPV model. The system supports uninterrupted urban NOA navigation and all-scenario parking.

 

▌CALB Unveils New Marine Battery and Launches Innovative Engineering Machinery Platform

 

Lithium battery technology leader CALB introduced its second-generation 320Ah marine battery cell at Marintec China 2025, achieving a breakthrough cycle life exceeding 12,000 cycles and a service life improvement of over 20%. 

 

The company also launched the mass production of its CIR3.0-GL platform for engineering machinery, which innovatively integrates multi-branch high-voltage control technology, reducing system components by 20%, simplifying assembly processes by 25%, and increasing production efficiency by 20%.

 

▌INFY Powers Shenzhen Book City 'PV-Storage-Charging' Demonstration Project

 

Energy storage innovator INFY has commissioned a PV-storage-charging demonstration project at Shenzhen Book City. The project features an integrated liquid-cooled energy storage system with a total capacity of 1.75MW/3.734MWh, utilizing peak-valley electricity pricing to enhance economic efficiency.

 

▌Rhino's R1 RoboZR Powers First Domestic-Computing Humanoid Robot

 

AI chip company Rhino's R1 RoboZR controller has been adopted in a humanoid robot project, replacing the original NVIDIA Orin platform and achieving full domestic sourcing of core components throughout the supply chain.

 

 

▌Seyond Secures LiDAR Designations from GAC and SAIC Volkswagen

 

Seyond has secured LiDAR designations for platform models from GAC and new models from SAIC Volkswagen. The first GAC collaboration model is scheduled for mass production in 2026. SAIC Volkswagen models will be equipped with Seyond's Lingque E1X LiDAR, accelerating its layout in the ADAS market.

 

▌Tuhu Exceeds 8,000 Stores, with Nearly 90% Profitable

 

Integrated automotive service provider Tuhu has expanded its network to over 8,000 "Tuhu Factory Stores," adding more than 1,000 stores twice within a year and now covering 1,920 county-level administrative regions in China. Financial reports indicate that nearly 90% of stores open for more than six months are profitable.

 

 

▌AlphaESS's Southwest Production Base Rolls Off 'Yao Fang 5000' Liquid-Cooled Energy Storage System

 

Solar energy storage provider AlphaESS has successfully rolled off its "Yao Fang 5000" liquid-cooled energy storage system from its new Southwest production base, which has an annual capacity of 5GWh. This system is a core product independently developed by AlphaESS for power system and commercial & industrial applications.

 

▌PCG Power Successfully Establishes First Distributed Clean Energy REITs on Shenzhen Stock Exchange

 

Comprehensive energy management service provider PCG Power has established the first inter-institutional REITs for distributed clean energy assets on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. 

 

Named "Xingzheng Jishi - PCG Nengfa New Energy Holding Real Estate Asset-Backed Special Plan (Carbon Neutrality)" with the code "121620," the 24-year product is backed by approximately 130MW of commercial and industrial distributed PV projects. It received strong interest and recognition from professional investors including insurance, trust, securities, and asset management companies.

 

▌Ronbay Technology Plans to Invest RMB 482 Million to Acquire Controlling Stake in Guizhou Xinren

 

New energy material producer Ronbay Technology announced its plan to invest RMB 482 million to acquire a controlling stake in Guizhou Xinren. This move aims to integrate technological advantages with production capacity to accelerate the large-scale layout of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) materials.

 

Going Global

 

▌Momenta Partners with Mercedes-Benz Again for Luxury Robotaxi Service in Abu Dhabi and Teams Up with Grab

 

Momenta and Mercedes-Benz co-launched a luxury autonomous taxi service in Abu Dhabi, based on the Mercedes S-Class and operated through local mobility provider Lumo, with plans to commence operations in 2026. 

 

Additionally, Momenta has entered a strategic partnership with Southeast Asian platform Grab to promote autonomous driving services in densely populated and complex urban environments.

 

 

▌Seyond Forms Strategic Cooperation with Swedish ITS Infrastructure Provider Aventi Sweden

 

Seyond has entered a strategic partnership with Swedish intelligent transportation system (ITS) infrastructure provider Aventi Sweden. Seyond's Smart Infrastructure Management Platform (SIMPL) will be fully integrated into Aventi Sweden's infrastructure product system and deployed at several key traffic intersections in Sweden.

 

▌AlphaESS Leads Dutch Residential Energy Storage Market, Opens Nigerian Subsidiary, and Signs Major Czech Project

 

According to a recent industry report by Mordor Intelligence, AlphaESS ranked first in the Dutch residential energy storage market for the first half of 2025 with a 28.8% market share, representing a year-over-year growth exceeding 600%. 

 

The company also opened a subsidiary in Nigeria, attended by nearly 150 local government and business representatives, completing a key node in its African service network. 

 

Furthermore, AlphaESS signed an agreement with Czech EPC Eltodo a.s. to deploy a total of 320MWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for projects in Chvaletice and Kladno, Czech Republic.

 

 

▌Eacon Completes 'Safety Driver Out' Test in Australia

 

Autonomous haulage solutions provider Eacon has successfully completed a "safety driver out" test at the Norton Goldfields project in Australia, a collaborative project with Zijin Mining and global mining services provider Thiess.

 

▌Standard Robots Showcases Solutions at iREX 2025 in Japan and Manufacturing Indonesia

 

Industrial robot maker Standard Robots demonstrated its full-stack, self-developed hardware capabilities at the International Robot Exhibition (iREX) 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, and at Manufacturing Indonesia, showcasing its evolution from single-scene to multi-scene industrial operations.

 

Sustainable Business

 

▌INFY's V2G Technology Supports National Games and Port Supercharging Station

 

INFY deployed its Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology at the National Games venues in Shenzhen, installing 3 sets of 600kW high-power V2G equipment comprising 6 liquid-cooled supercharging stalls and 24 fast-charging stalls for various vehicles including passenger cars and electric heavy trucks.

 

It also commissioned an integrated PV-storage-charging supercharging station at Zhongshan Port, featuring 3 sets of 800kW charging systems with 16 connectors and 2 units of 241kWh energy storage cabinets.

 

▌CALB Powers World's First 'Methanol Fuel + Transport + Bunkering' Ship and Steps-In Power Supply for Green Bulk Carrier

 

CALB, as the core power system supplier, provided a high-performance, high-safety marine battery energy storage system for the "Maya Cosulich," the world's first chemical tanker with methanol dual-fuel propulsion, methanol transportation, and methanol bunkering capabilities, built for Italian shipowner Fratelli Cosulich. 

 

Separately, CALB's containerized lithium battery system powered China's first nearshore green bulk carrier, the "Weiqiao Ludong 1," on its maiden voyage, providing a replicable model for green transition in coastal shipping.

 

 

Honors

 

▌Seyond, BIBO, INGIN, and Ambilight Win 10th Lingxuan Awards

 

Several portfolio companies won the 10th Lingxuan Awards, a unique evaluation system for China's auto parts industry since its 2016 inception.

 

Seyond won the gold award in the "Forward-looking • Combined ADAS" category for the fifth consecutive year.

 

Intelligent chassis solution provider BIBO received the gold award in "Forward-looking • Chassis Systems" and an excellence award in "Mass Production • Chassis Systems," having won gold in the latter category last year. 

 

Automotive component provider INGIN again secured gold awards in both "Mass Production  • Body Systems" and "Forward-looking  • Body Systems." 

 

Smart glass provider Ambilight won gold in "Mass Production  • Lightweight & New Materials." 

 

 

▌BIBO, SINPRO, and AUTO AI Receive 2025 Gaogong Intelligent Vehicle Golden Ball Awards

 

BIBO won the Annual Technological Breakthrough Award again, while auto-grade environmental perception solutions provider SINPRO received the Annual Most Investable Award, and smart cockpit software and hardware provider AUTO AI was granted the Annual Technological Breakthrough Award.

 

▌United Winners and Scanner Optics Win 'Best Laser Equipment Supporting Product Technology Innovation Award' at SRA 2025 Laser Star Awards

 

United Winners and Scanner Optics, a developer of scanning heads, were honored with the "Best Laser Equipment Supporting Product Technology Innovation Award" at the SRA 2025 4th China Laser Star Awards, organized by the China Laser Star Awards Committee and Laser Home.

 

▌SINPRO's 4D Imaging Radar Named on Two Industry Lists

 

SINPRO's 4D imaging radar was selected for both the GTM2025 8th Tech Mobility Industry Innovation List released by iyiou Auto Research Institute and the "Sensor Top 50 List" released at the 2025 World Internet of Things Expo Intelligent Sensor Forum.

 

▌Standard Robots Selected for 2025 Forbes China Human-Machine Symbiosis Tech Intelligence Pioneer List, DARWIN Wins Open-Source Ecosystem Contribution Award

 

Standard Robots was recognized in the 2025 Forbes China Human-Machine Symbiosis Tech Intelligence Pioneer selection, and its DARWIN project received an Open-Source Ecosystem Contribution Award.

 

 

▌Dexmal Named '2025 AI Annual Promising Startup' by Qbitai

 

Embodied AI company Dexmal was awarded the title of "2025 AI Annual Promising Startup" by technology media Qbitai.

 

 

▌PCG Power Wins Multiple Authoritative Awards in Overseas Expansion

 

PCG Power was selected for the "2025 Go-Global Benchmark - Rising Star Award" on Huxiu's "2025 Go-Global Benchmark List" and was named among the "2025 China Future Energy Enterprises Top 10" at the WIM2025 Innovators Annual Conference organized by iyiou.
 

▌EVTECH Receives Provincial-Level Dual Recognition

 

Core component supplier for new energy vehicles EVTECH was recognized as a Zhejiang Province Enterprise Technology Center (for both manufacturing and high-tech services) and as a Provincial Manufacturing Single Champion Enterprise.

 

▌Inceptio Technology Selected as 'Annual Green Innovation Exemplary Enterprise' in Caijing Evergreen Enterprise Cases

 

Developer of autonomous driving technologies for heavy-duty trucks Inceptio Technology was chosen as the "Annual Green Innovation Exemplary Enterprise" in the Caijing Evergreen Enterprise Cases.