Kodiak Robotics Set to Trade on Nasdaq After SPAC Merger Approval

New York, NY – September 24, 2025 – Kodiak Robotics, an autonomous truck technology startup, is preparing to debut on the Nasdaq following a successful merger with Ares Acquisition Corp. II. Shareholders approved the $2.5 billion deal with about 88% voting in favor during a meeting held on Tuesday.

The merger marks a significant transition for Kodiak, which will trade under the ticker symbols KDK for common stock and KDKRW for warrants starting on September 25, 2025. Despite challenges, including substantial shareholder redemptions that drained most of the SPAC’s trust account, Kodiak has secured over $200 million in additional funding from institutional investors.

“We are pleased by the support from our investors and believe the capital we’ve secured positions us well,” said Don Burnette, founder and CEO of Kodiak, in a recent statement. The startup aims to leverage this funding to enhance its Kodiak Driver platform and commercialize its technology in the rapidly evolving freight market.

Kodiak’s listing is poised to inject significant capital into the autonomous trucking sector, crucial for its ambitious growth plans. The transaction is one of the largest of its kind in 2025, indicating strong investor confidence in the future of self-driving trucks.

Prior to the merger, Ares Acquisition Corp. II faced redemptions that left only $62.9 million in the trust fund before expenses, despite raising extra funds. Burnette acknowledged the importance of this financial support in moving forward with Kodiak’s operational goals.

Kodiak AI, now the official name post-merger, plans to capitalize on the estimated $4 trillion freight market while addressing the complexities of becoming a public company. The merger’s impact is expected not only on Kodiak but on the competitive landscape of the industry, potentially causing traditional trucking companies to adapt or risk falling behind.

The public offering could also accelerate regulatory attention, with policymakers facing new challenges related to safety and liability as more autonomous trucks operate on public roads. Kodiak AI’s successful transition marks not just a corporate change but a potential turning point for the logistics sector as autonomous technology becomes more mainstream.