iRobot (IRBT) Stock Plummets 84% Amid Chapter 11 Filing and Picea Acquisition Deal

A household name in robotics just filed for bankruptcy protection. iRobot's stock took an 84% nosedive as the company entered Chapter 11 and agreed to be acquired by private equity firm Picea.

The Fall of a Pioneer

This wasn't a gradual decline—it was a cliff. Shareholders watched an 84% chunk of their investment evaporate overnight. The move to Chapter 11 signals a desperate attempt to restructure while fending off creditors, with Picea waiting in the wings to scoop up the pieces.

Acquisition as a Lifeline

The Picea deal isn't a victory lap; it's a distress sale. It provides immediate capital and a path out of bankruptcy, but at a steep discount from iRobot's former glory. For Picea, it's a calculated bet on brand equity and intellectual property at fire-sale prices.

Market Mechanics in Motion

An 84% drop doesn't happen in a vacuum. It reflects a complete repricing of risk, future cash flows, and brand viability. The market isn't just adjusting expectations—it's writing an obituary for the company's independent future.

Legacy on Life Support

iRobot defined the home robotics category. Now, its future hinges on a bankruptcy judge's approval and a private equity firm's turnaround playbook. The brand may survive, but its story as a public market innovator is effectively over.

For investors, it's another stark reminder that even iconic brands aren't immune to obsolescence—and that in traditional markets, sometimes the most innovative exit strategy is a Chapter 11 filing. Meanwhile, in crypto, we're busy building decentralized alternatives to this entire brittle system.

TLDR

• iRobot filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware and expects to complete restructuring by February 2026
• Picea, the company’s secured lender and contract manufacturer, will acquire 100% of iRobot’s equity through the court process
• Existing common shareholders will receive no recovery and shares will be canceled after the transaction closes
• The company will be delisted from Nasdaq and become a private entity owned by Picea

iRobot Corp., the company behind the popular Roomba vacuum cleaners, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the District of Delaware. The MOVE marks a turning point for the struggling robotics manufacturer as it seeks to address mounting financial pressures.

iRobot Corporation, IRBT

The company announced it has voluntarily entered a pre-packaged bankruptcy process. iRobot expects to complete the court-supervised restructuring by February 2026.

As part of the bankruptcy filing, iRobot entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement with Shenzhen PICEA Robotics Co., Ltd. and Santrum Hong Kong Co., Limited. These companies serve as both iRobot’s secured lender and primary contract manufacturer.

Under the agreement, Picea will acquire 100% of iRobot’s equity interests through the bankruptcy process. This means iRobot will become a completely private company owned by Picea.

Here’s where things get tough for current investors. When the transaction completes, iRobot’s common stock will be canceled entirely.

Existing shareholders will receive no recovery for their holdings. The company made this clear in its bankruptcy announcement.

Stock Delisting and Market Reaction

iRobot shares will be delisted from the Nasdaq Stock Market once the deal closes. The stock will no longer trade on any national exchange.

Despite the grim news for shareholders, iRobot stock actually ROSE following the bankruptcy announcement. Investors appeared to welcome the clarity the filing provided about the company’s future path.

The stock gains came even as the company reported sharply lower revenue in its third quarter of 2025. iRobot has faced intense competitive pressures in the robotic vacuum market.

The pre-packaged nature of the bankruptcy suggests iRobot and its creditors had already negotiated the terms before filing. This type of bankruptcy typically moves faster than traditional Chapter 11 cases.

Picea’s dual role as both lender and manufacturer gives it unique leverage in the situation. The company already had financial and operational ties to iRobot before the bankruptcy.

Timeline and Next Steps

The February 2026 completion target gives the court process roughly two months from the December 14, 2025 filing date. That timeline is relatively quick for bankruptcy proceedings.

iRobot characterized the bankruptcy as a step toward establishing long-term stability. The company has struggled with financial challenges that made the restructuring necessary.

For now, iRobot continues operating as it works through the court-supervised process. The company remains in business while the bankruptcy moves forward.

The transformation from public to private ownership will end iRobot’s run as a publicly traded company. Shares currently trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol IRBT.

Picea will take full control of the Roomba brand and iRobot’s other robotic products after the acquisition completes. The restructuring aims to resolve iRobot’s financial difficulties under new ownership.

The company filed for bankruptcy in the District of Delaware, a common jurisdiction for corporate restructuring cases. Delaware courts handle a large percentage of major U.S. bankruptcy filings.

Summary: iRobot filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will be acquired by lender Picea, leaving existing shareholders with no recovery.