ROBO Global

What ROBO Global does

ROBO Global is a thematic index provider and ETF sponsor specializing in robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and healthcare technology investments. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company creates and maintains proprietary indexes that form the basis of three exchange-traded funds: the ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO), the ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (THNQ), and the ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF (HTEC). The flagship ROBO index tracks 78 companies across the global robotics value chain using an equal-weighted methodology where no single holding exceeds 1.94% of portfolio assets, providing broad diversification across semiconductors, test-equipment, industrial automation, and enabling technology providers.

The company's core technology is its proprietary index methodology, which covers the full robotics value chain including actuators, vision sensors, semiconductors, and industrial integrators. ROBO ETF tracks approximately $3.7 billion in assets under management. ROBO Global generates revenue through management fees charged as a percentage of assets under management across its ETF suite, with expense ratios varying by fund. The ETFs are listed on NYSEARCA and distributed through major broker-dealer platforms including Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, and TD Ameritrade, reaching institutional investors, wealth managers, financial advisors, and retail investors.

In 2025, ROBO Global Indexes was acquired by VettaFi, a financial data and index provider, integrating the company's index methodology into VettaFi's broader thematic index ecosystem. The ETFs continue to trade on NYSEARCA post-acquisition. ROBO Global's go-to-market relies on thought leadership content, industry expert webcasts, and financial media coverage to drive advisor and institutional adoption, capitalizing on the structural growth of the robotics market projected to expand 283% from $108.43 billion in 2026 to $416.26 billion by 2035.

Name

ROBO Global

Legal name

ROBO Global Indexes

Website

https://roboglobal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ROBO Global is a thematic index provider and ETF sponsor offering the ROBO, THNQ, and HTEC ETFs tracking robotics, AI, and healthcare technology sectors. Serving institutional investors, financial advisors, and retail investors through NYSEARCA, the company was acquired by VettaFi in 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Thematic Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Open-End Investment Funds (525910), Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282), Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Wealth Platforms for Advisors (TAMP/Advisor Tech) (FSAGAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Robo-Advisors & Digital Wealth Managers (FSAAAAAD), Direct-to-Consumer Robo-Advisors (Retail Automated Portfolios) (FSAGAEAA)

Keywords

• Thematic ETF products
• Robotics automation indexes
• AI thematic investing
• Healthcare technology ETFs
• Index-based investing

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. ETF Management Fees: ROBO Global generates revenue through management fees charged on its ETFs. The expense ratios vary by fund, with ROBO tracking assets of approximately $3.7 billion. Management fees are calculated as a percentage of assets under management, providing a recurring revenue stream tied to market valuation and investor inflows.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ROBO Global is a thematic index provider that designs, maintains, and licenses proprietary equity indexes covering robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and healthcare technology sectors. The company sponsors three exchange-traded funds listed on NYSE Arca—the ROBO Robotics & Automation Index ETF, THNQ Artificial Intelligence ETF, and HTEC Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF—offering diversified exposure to 78 companies across the robotics value chain with no single holding exceeding 1.94% of the portfolio.

Product overview

ROBO Global provides a suite of thematic exchange-traded funds (ETFs) focused on robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and healthcare technology. The product lineup consists of three distinct ETFs: the ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO) as the flagship robotics fund tracking 78 companies with broad industrial automation and semiconductor exposure, the ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (THNQ) targeting AI technology developers and infrastructure providers, and the ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF (HTEC) covering health tech innovators in genomics and medical robotics. Note: ROBO Global Indexes has been acquired by VettaFi.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index: The flagship robotics and automation index tracking companies across the robotics value chain
• ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (THNQ)
• ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF (HTEC)

Products and services

• ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO) An exchange-traded fund listed on NYSE Arca that tracks a global index of 78 robotics and automation companies, providing diversified exposure across semiconductor, test-equipment, industrial automation, and robotics technology holdings. The flagship product of ROBO Global, tracking approximately $3.7 billion in assets with no single holding exceeding 1.94% of the portfolio.
• ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (THNQ) An exchange-traded fund that tracks a global index of companies developing artificial intelligence technology, offering exposure to AI hardware, software, and enabling technology providers. Listed on NYSE Arca as part of ROBO Global's thematic ETF suite.
• ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF (HTEC) An exchange-traded fund that tracks a proprietary healthcare technology index, focusing on companies in genomics, robotics, and AI-driven drug discovery within the healthcare sector. Listed on NYSE Arca as part of ROBO Global's thematic ETF suite.

Quantifiable outcome

• 57% returns over the past year, nearly doubling competitor BOTZ's 29% gain
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• VettaFiflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerROBO Global Indexes has been acquired by VettaFi, integrating the robotics and automation index provider into VettaFi's indexing platform. The acquisition enhances ROBO's distribution capabilities and positions the index methodology within VettaFi's broader thematic index ecosystem.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ): Global X's BOTZ is the most direct competitor to ROBO Global's flagship robotics ETF. BOTZ takes a concentrated approach (~58% in top 10 holdings) with ~$3.5B AUM and competes for the same advisor and retail thematic allocation dollars.
• iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (IRBO): BlackRock's iShares IRBO is a direct competitor in the robotics/AI thematic ETF category, offering broad exposure to global robotics and AI companies and competing for institutional and retail investors seeking diversified thematic exposure.
• First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (ROBT): First Trust's ROBT is a direct thematic competitor, tracking the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics index. Competes with ROBO for advisor allocations in the AI/robotics thematic category.
• VanEck Robotics ETF: VanEck offers dedicated robotics ETFs that compete with ROBO Global for thematic robotics exposure, including concentrated and broad-based approaches for institutional and retail investors.

Broad incumbents

• ARK Invest (ARKK, ARKQ): ARK Invest offers thematic ETFs including ARKQ (Autonomous Technology & Robotics) which directly competes with ROBO Global's robotics ETF. ARK is an established incumbent in thematic investing with strong brand recognition.
• SPDR MSCI World Industrials ETF (INDP): SPDR offers broad-based industrial exposure including significant robotics and automation holdings through ETFs like INDP. As a State Street incumbent, it provides an alternative to ROBO for investors seeking diversified industrial/automation exposure.

Emerging players

• Roundhill Investments: Roundhill is an emerging thematic ETF issuer offering AI, robotics, and tech-focused ETFs that compete with ROBO Global's suite. They have grown quickly by launching multiple thematic products targeting similar investor mindshare.
• Defiance ETFs: Defiance ETFs is an emerging thematic ETF sponsor offering AI, robotics, and next-generation technology ETFs. They compete with ROBO Global for advisor and retail attention in the AI/robotics thematic category.

Others

• VettaFi: VettaFi is the parent company that acquired ROBO Global Indexes. As an index platform, VettaFi provides ROBO with distribution and operational infrastructure while also hosting competing thematic indices.

Regional players

• WisdomTree Robotics and Automation ETF (ROBO): WisdomTree Europe offers a Robotics and Automation UCITS ETF competing with ROBO Global's flagship in European markets, providing similar thematic exposure with a regional distribution focus outside the US.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/roboglobal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments9 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ROBO Global