Zhuoyu Technology, an autonomous driving startup spun out of drone giant DJI, is seeking to raise around $290 million in a pre-IPO funding round as it prepares for a potential public listing in Hong Kong. The fundraising values the company at approximately $1.8 billion, reflecting strong investor interest in intelligent driving technologies.
Originally established as DJI’s automotive division in 2016, Zhuoyu was spun off as an independent entity in 2023 and officially rebranded in 2024. The company focuses on advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), leveraging camera-based vision technology to power features such as intelligent parking, highway navigation, and urban driving assistance.
The company has already attracted significant backing from major automotive players. In late 2025, it secured over $500 million in strategic investment from FAW Group, which became its largest shareholder. Zhuoyu has also received investments from leading automakers including BYD, SAIC, and BAIC, highlighting strong industry confidence in its technology.
Zhuoyu’s solutions have been deployed across multiple vehicle models, particularly in cost-sensitive segments where it has helped bring advanced driving features to more affordable cars. At the same time, the company is expanding into higher-performance systems, including next-generation computing platforms and AI-driven driving models aimed at supporting more advanced levels of autonomy.
Despite its progress, Zhuoyu remains in a competitive market dominated by established players in China’s autonomous driving ecosystem. The company is currently working to increase its market share and strengthen its position by upgrading its technology stack and expanding partnerships with automakers.
The planned pre-IPO round reflects growing momentum in the autonomous driving and smart mobility sector, where companies are raising large amounts of capital to scale technology and prepare for public market listings. Zhuoyu’s fundraising underscores the increasing importance of AI-driven automotive solutions as the industry moves toward more intelligent and connected vehicles.
