Coupang Invests $84M in AI, Partners With Contoro

SEATTLE, WA — Coupang, Inc. (NYSE: CPNG) announced Wednesday that it has invested more than $84 million in artificial intelligence and technology startups since 2023, and has begun collaborating with Austin, Texas-based robotics firm Contoro to automate logistics operations.

The companies are exploring a pilot program to deploy Contoro's autonomous robots at Coupang's fulfillment centers in South Korea and other international markets.

Contoro, founded in 2022 and employing 35 staff, develops robotic arms for unloading boxes from shipping containers and truck trailers.

Under the agreement, Coupang will provide operational data to help Contoro tailor its technology for the South Korean logistics sector.

Contoro’s hardware features a human-in-the-loop system that enables remote human operation of the robots.

Contoro reports its grasping systems achieve a 99% success rate with boxes of varying dimensions and weights.

The startup has integrated large language models to diagnose mechanical performance and is making those findings publicly available.

The partnership is part of the U.S.-Korea Tech Prosperity Deal, a bilateral initiative to accelerate technological research and development.

“Coupang is a vital bridge for economic and technological collaboration between the U.S., Korea, and other countries where we operate,” said Harold Rogers, interim chief executive officer of Coupang Corp., at the Semafor World Economy event in Washington, D.C.

The $84 million investment portfolio includes a recent $50 million allocation to the SBVA Korea Sovereign AI Fund, which matches a $50 million contribution from the Korea Venture Investment Corporation, a government-backed agency supporting the Next Unicorn Project.

Coupang previously invested in the 2023 SBVA Alpha Korea Fund, which supports about 20 startups.

Recent individual investments include San Francisco-based blockchain firm Tempo and South Korean AI robotics firm CMES.

Coupang’s logistics operations use automated systems—including driverless forklifts and sorting robots—managed via its proprietary Coupang Intelligent Cloud infrastructure.

The company reported that its logistics network facilitated $5 billion in international sales for U.S. enterprises and small and medium-sized businesses in 2025.