Foundation Future Industries missed its October 30 payroll for employees in San Francisco, leaving workers unpaid while CEO Sankaet Pathak used a $4.6 million corporate loan to buy a luxury home in Sausalito, California, detikInet reported.
Public records show a limited liability company listing Pathak as the sole owner acquired the property in October 2025. The military humanoid robotics startup, which has attracted backing from Eric Trump, faced similar cash shortages in August that were temporarily resolved after securing outside funding.
Pathak told employees this week that he is working to secure funds to settle the unpaid wages. The startup was founded in April 2024 by Pathak, Tribe Capital CEO Arjun Sethi, and LeBlanc, a co-founder of Cobalt Robotics.
Pathak is the sole member of the board of directors and holds the majority of shares. That structure allowed him to take the $4.6 million short-term loan, raising corporate governance concerns for prospective investors.
The company is attempting to raise hundreds of dollars with a valuation reaching USD 3 billion. Pathak claimed in media appearances that the firm is preparing to launch battle-ready robots intended to compete with rivals from China and assist at the US-Mexico border or in Ukraine.
Those claims drew public attention alongside statements that the firm won a USD 24 million Pentagon contract. Foundation did not win that contract directly, instead acquiring Boardwalk Robotics in late 2024 to inherit a government research contract.
Eric Trump serves as an investor and head of strategic advisory for Foundation. His involvement prompted questions from Senator Elizabeth Warren regarding potential nepotism in defense contracting.
A spokesperson for Eric Trump said that he is not involved in the management, operations, strategic decisions, or commercial activities of Foundation.
| Key Detail | Data / Fact |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Foundation Future Industries |
| Founding Date | April 2024 |
| Missed Payroll Date | October 30 |
| Loan Amount | $4.6 million |
| Property Location | Sausalito, California |
“What we will roll out in the next few months will be the most capable humanoid robot anywhere in the world, including China,” Pathak told CNBC.
