In a massive show of confidence for the future of autonomous mobility, Waymo (Alphabet’s self-driving subsidiary) announced on February 2, 2026, that it has raised $16 billion in a new investment round.
This funding values the company at a staggering $126 billion, nearly tripling its $45 billion valuation from late 2024. The capital injection positions Waymo to transition from a “proof-of-concept” phase into a global infrastructure-scale service.
1. The Investor “Who’s Who”
While Alphabet remains the majority investor, the round was led by Dragoneer Investment Group, DST Global, and Sequoia Capital. The sheer size of the check reflects a rare consensus among top-tier institutional and venture firms:
- Heavyweight Backers: The round included Andreessen Horowitz, Mubadala Capital, Silver Lake, Tiger Global, T. Rowe Price, and Fidelity.
- New Strategic Partners: Bessemer Venture Partners and Temasek also joined, underscoring the “Waymo Driver’s” status as a scalable global solution.
- Investment Sentiment: Sequoia Partner Konstantine Buhler noted that Waymo has moved beyond research to “operational excellence,” tripling its weekly paid rides in just one year.
2. Record-Breaking 2025 Milestones
The $126 billion valuation is backed by a year of explosive operational growth that far outpaced competitors like Tesla’s FSD or Amazon’s Zoox.
| Metric | 2024 (Actual) | 2025 (Actual) | Growth |
| Annual Ride Volume | 5 Million | 15 Million | ↑ 300% |
| Fully Autonomous Miles | 35 Million | 127 Million | ↑ 260% |
| Weekly Paid Rides | ~130,000 | 400,000+ | ↑ 207% |
| Safety Record | — | 90% Injury Reduction | vs. Human Drivers |
- Lifetime Rides: Waymo has now surpassed 20 million lifetime rides across its six current U.S. markets (SF, LA, Phoenix, Austin, Miami, and Atlanta).
- The “Moon” Metric: Its 127 million autonomous miles are the equivalent of driving to the moon and back over 260 times.
3. The 2026 Global Expansion Plan
With $16 billion in fresh capital, Waymo is launching an “unprecedented velocity” expansion plan for the remainder of 2026.
- 20 New Cities: Waymo plans to enter at least 20 additional markets this year.
- International Debut: For the first time, the “Waymo Driver” will go global, with confirmed launches in London and Tokyo.
- U.S. Targets: Expansion into dense environments like New York City and Chicago is expected, building on its recent successful launch in Miami’s complex traffic conditions.
4. Safety as a Competitive Asset
At a time of high regulatory scrutiny, Waymo’s primary pitch to investors was its statistical safety record.
- Human Error Elimination: By removing distraction, fatigue, and impairment, Waymo has reported a 90% reduction in serious injury crashes compared to human-driven miles.
- Regulatory Lead: This proven safety data has allowed Waymo to secure operating permits in markets where rivals like Cruise have faced significant delays or pauses.
Conclusion: From Moonshot to Mainstream
Waymo’s $126 billion valuation officially makes it one of the most valuable transportation companies in the world, rivaling legacy automakers. By securing $16 billion, Alphabet has ensured that Waymo has the “war chest” needed to buy thousands of new vehicles and install the sensors required to dominate the global robotaxi market. In 2026, the question is no longer if robotaxis can scale, but how fast Waymo can get them into your city.
