ROBO Global ETFs

What ROBO Global ETFs does

ROBO Global is a Dallas-headquartered fund sponsor that builds and markets thematic exchange-traded funds (ETFs) focused on the global robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence value chain. Founded in 2013, the company pioneered the first dedicated robotics and automation ETF (ticker: ROBO) on NYSE Arca and subsequently extended its product suite with the HTEC Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF in June 2019 and the THNQ Artificial Intelligence ETF in May 2020. ROBO Global serves both retail and institutional investors — including asset managers, family offices, and wealth advisors — seeking diversified, liquid exposure to emerging technology themes without the burden of single-name stock selection.

The firm's core technology is its proprietary ROBO Global index methodology, which employs a two-tier equal-weighting scheme (typically 75% small/mid-cap and 25% large-cap) to balance exposure between fast-growing bellwether companies and established players with distinct robotics/automation revenue streams. The flagship ROBO index covers 80+ holdings across 12 subsectors in 15 countries; THNQ covers 60+ holdings across 11 subsectors in 16 countries. Indices rebalance quarterly and are classified using the proprietary ROBO Global Industry Classification framework, supported by a 7-Ph.D. advisory board. Subsectors include logistics automation, food and agriculture, security/surveillance, energy, healthcare, sensing, actuation, computing/AI, integration, 3D printing, and manufacturing.

ROBO Global generates revenue through ETF expense ratios charged on assets under management — the ROBO ETF charges 0.95% annually. Fund operations are delivered through partnerships with Exchange Traded Concepts (investment advisor) and SEI Investments Distribution Co. (distributor), with all three funds listed on NYSE Arca. Distribution spans every major U.S. brokerage platform (Robinhood, Charles Schwab, Interactive Brokers, Fidelity, TD Ameritrade, E*Trade), and the company drives demand through content-led thought leadership — quarterly market briefs, thematic research, and participation in industry events such as RoboBusiness. ROBO Global does not directly operate technology businesses; its revenue mechanics are tied to AUM growth and net flows across its three ETF products.

Name

ROBO Global ETFs

Legal name

ROBO Global

Website

https://roboglobaletfs.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ROBO Global is a Dallas-based fund sponsor that designs and markets thematic ETFs (ROBO, HTEC, THNQ) on NYSE Arca, providing retail and institutional investors diversified exposure to global robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence companies via proprietary two-tier equal-weighted indices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Thematic Exchange-Traded Funds (Robotics, AI & Healthcare Tech)

NAICS

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

SIC

Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200), Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Alternatives & Multi-Asset Digital Wealth Platforms (PE/VC/Real Assets access) (FSAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Thematic ETFs
• Robotics investing
• Automation index
• AI exchange-traded funds
• Healthcare technology ETF

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. ETF Management Fees: ROBO Global ETFs generate revenue through expense ratios charged on assets under management. The ROBO ETF has an expense ratio of 0.95%. Revenue is proportional to the total assets under management across all three ETFs (ROBO, HTEC, and THNQ).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ROBO Global sponsors and markets three thematic exchange-traded funds (ROBO, HTEC, THNQ) listed on NYSE Arca, providing liquid, diversified, and cost-effective exposure to global robotics, automation, healthcare technology, and artificial intelligence companies. The ETFs track proprietary ROBO Global indices built on a two-tier equal-weighting methodology with quarterly rebalancing, and are distributed to investors through major brokerage platforms.

Product overview

ROBO Global ETFs offers a suite of three exchange-traded funds (ETFs) listed on NYSE Arca, providing liquid, cost-effective, and diversified exposure to rapidly evolving robotics technology, automation, and artificial intelligence. The core product ROBO ETF (launched 2013) was the first robotics stock portfolio, tracking the ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index. HTEC ETF (launched 2019) focuses on healthcare technology and innovation. THNQ ETF (launched 2020) targets the artificial intelligence sector, providing exposure to over 60 AI-related stocks across 11 subsectors in 16 countries. The funds utilize a two-tier equal-weighting scheme with a typical market cap breakdown of 75% small-to-mid-caps and 25% large-caps, and are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. with Exchange Traded Concepts LLC serving as investment advisor.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO): The first robotics stock portfolio for investors, providing diversified exposure to global robotics and automation companies.
• HTEC ETF (Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF)
• THNQ ETF (Artificial Intelligence ETF)

Products and services

• ROBO ETF (ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF) The first robotics stock portfolio for investors, tracking the ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index. Includes more than 80 stocks across 12 subsectors in 15 countries, providing diversified exposure to the global robotics, automation, and AI value chain. Listed on NYSE Arca with a 0.95% expense ratio; inception October 21, 2013.
• HTEC ETF (ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF) Provides investors with exposure to innovative and disruptive healthcare technology companies at the intersection of robotics, machine intelligence, and life sciences. Tracks the ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation Index and is listed on NYSE Arca.
• THNQ ETF (ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF) Tracks the ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence Index to provide comprehensive access to the global AI value chain. Includes more than 60 stocks across 11 subsectors in 16 countries, spanning AI infrastructure (computing, data, cloud services) and AI applications (business processes, e-commerce, healthcare). Listed on NYSE Arca.

Quantifiable outcome

• $390.9 billion projected AI market by 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Exchange Traded Concepts (ETC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 May 2020Partnership with Exchange Traded Concepts to launch THNQ ETF on NYSE Arca in May 2020, leveraging ETC's ETF infrastructure and distribution capabilities.
• Exchange Traded Concepts (ETC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExchange Traded Concepts serves as the investment advisor for ROBO Global ETFs, providing fund management, index tracking, and operational support for the ETF products.
• SEI Investments Distribution Co (SIDCO)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSEI Investments Distribution Co serves as the fund distributor for all ROBO Global ETFs, handling the distribution of fund shares through brokerage channels.
• NYSE ArcacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAll three ROBO Global ETFs (ROBO, HTEC, THNQ) are listed and traded on NYSE Arca exchange, providing transparent price discovery and liquidity.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• ARK Invest (Firm): ARK Invest is an active thematic ETF sponsor with a strong research brand and direct competitors (ARKQ, ARKK) to ROBO Global's products. Comparable in operating model as a thematic index/research-driven sponsor but at significantly larger AUM scale.

Broad incumbents

• Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ): Invesco QQQ provides broad Nasdaq-100 exposure with significant overlap in mega-cap tech and AI names that ROBO/THNQ also hold. Serves as a substitute allocation for investors wanting tech-adjacent exposure without thematic concentration.
• SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF: State Street's thematic ETF targeting intelligent structures, automation, and AI infrastructure. Competes for the same thematic mandate dollars with the SPDR distribution franchise.
• Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT): Vanguard's VGT offers low-cost broad tech exposure including many AI and automation names. Competes for thematic-adjacent allocations with a much lower fee structure, pressuring ROBO Global's value proposition on cost-conscious mandates.

Direct peers

• ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ): ARKQ provides exposure to autonomous technology, robotics, and 3D printing equities under ARK Invest's active thematic franchise. Competes directly with ROBO for retail and institutional thematic allocation dollars.
• WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Fund (WTAI): WisdomTree's WTAI provides thematic exposure to AI and innovation equities. Direct competitor in the same AI/robotics ETF category, leveraging WisdomTree's distribution scale.
• Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ): Global X's BOTZ is the largest direct competitor to ROBO, tracking a robotics and AI index of global equities. Competes head-to-head on retail brokerage platforms and serves the same institutional thematic-allocation use case.
• L&G ROBO Global Robotics and Automation UCITS ETF: L&G's UCITS ETF is licensed from the ROBO Global index, providing identical exposure to ROBO outside the U.S. Demonstrates the index brand's licensing potential and serves as both an extension of ROBO Global's reach and a regional competitor in Europe.
• First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (ROBT): First Trust ROBT tracks the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Index, covering global AI and robotics equities. Direct competitor offering similar thematic exposure with a different index methodology and branding.
• iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF (IRBO): iShares IRBO is a BlackRock-sponsored thematic ETF providing global robotics and AI exposure. Directly comparable product category, with BlackRock's brand and lower fee profile creating direct competitive pressure on ROBO Global.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/roboglobaletfs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about ROBO Global ETFs