Pune, 26 September 2025 – Affordable Robotic & Automation Ltd (ARAPL), (BSE: 541402 | NSE: AFFORDABLE), India’s first listed robotics company, has cleared a fresh round of fund infusion into its subsidiary Humro (formerly ARAPL RaaS), as it looks to scale operations and deepen its presence in overseas markets.
At a board meeting held on 18 September 2025, the company cleared an interest-free loan of Rs 25 crore from promoter and managing director Milind Padole, with a provision to convert the amount into equity or warrants at a later date. The board also approved raising an additional Rs 50–60 crore via a preferential issue, the proceeds of which will be reinvested into Humro and subsequently converted into equity, subject to regulatory approvals.
The move follows an earlier announcement this month of an USD 8–10 million investment plan into Humro, formerly known as ARAPL RaaS, through a mix of promoter contribution, preferential issue and debt. Of this, Padole has committed USD 3 million in his personal capacity by diluting part of his shareholding in ARAPL. The balance is expected to be raised from institutional investors and debt markets.
The fresh capital will be deployed towards capex, order book execution and working capital requirements as Humro looks to scale up its operations. The Pune-based subsidiary has built a strong order pipeline of around Rs 32 crore, expected to start translating into revenues by FY26. It has also secured in-principle technology approvals from global clients in the United States and Europe, a step seen as critical for scaling its export business.
“Humro has built a robust product portfolio and secured validations from leading global clients, which is a significant endorsement for an Indian robotics company operating in such a competitive space,” said Mr. Milind Padole, Chairman and Managing Director, ARAPL.
“Over the past four years, we have steadily invested in R&D, intellectual property, and software-led automation platforms, giving us the confidence to compete with established global players. This fresh round of funding will allow us to accelerate our growth trajectory by scaling production, deepening customer engagements, and investing in our talent base. Importantly, it positions us to strengthen our US presence at a time when supply chain diversification and tariff-led cost dynamics are opening up new opportunities for Indian companies in advanced automation. Our focus will be on leveraging India’s cost advantage while continuing to deliver high-quality, reliable solutions that meet global benchmarks,” added Mr Padole.
Founded in 2005, ARAPL has emerged as a significant player in India’s automation landscape. The company has deployed more than 7,500 robots and 14,000 automated car parking systems, employs over 400 professionals, and operates a 350,000 sq. ft. facility on the outskirts of Pune. Its intellectual property portfolio includes nine patents and three proprietary software platforms.
The capital raising comes at a time when Indian automation firms are benefitting from global supply chain realignments and rising tariffs on Chinese imports into the US. With its mix of cost competitiveness and proprietary technology, ARAPL is seeking to position Humro as a serious contender in the fast-growing robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) and autonomous mobile robotics market, where demand is being driven by warehousing, logistics and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Currently, the global robotics market is dominated by Japanese, European and American majors, Indian players like ARAPL are beginning to carve out a niche by offering affordability and faster deployment cycles. The latest infusion underscores the company’s ambition to tap this opening and emerge as a credible global challenger.