Startup Name: NeoCognition

Industry: Artificial Intelligence

Region: United States

Amount (USD): $40 million

The problem it is solving: Current AI agents struggle with reliability, specialisation, and executing complex real-world tasks that require deep domain expertise. Most systems rely on static training and heavy manual customisation, limiting their effectiveness in high-stakes environments. NeoCognition is solving this by developing self-learning AI agents that continuously learn from their environments, build structured “world models” of workflows, and evolve into domain experts—making them more reliable, efficient, and adaptable.

What the Funds Will Be Spent On: Advancing research into self-learning, specialised AI agents. Scaling engineering and AI research teams. Developing new architectures for continuous learning and world modelling. Expanding real-world applications of agentic AI systems.

Startup Name: Eigen

Industry: Artificial Intelligence

Region: United States

Amount (USD): $15 million

The problem it is solving: Most AI systems today are designed for one-on-one interactions (e.g., chatbots, assistants), which can unintentionally reinforce isolation by replacing human interaction rather than enhancing it. Eigen’s solution is a “mutual friend” AI that acts as a social bridge between people, helping users: find common ground in relationships, facilitate deeper, more meaningful interactions and Shift from passive digital consumption to active, shared experiences. In essence, the startup is repositioning AI from a replacement for human interaction to an enabler of human connection and belonging.

What the Funds Will Be Spent On: Expand its team (engineers and social scientists). Improve and refine emotional intelligence (EQ) models. Develop and scale its “mutual friend” AI platform. Prepare for a broader public product rollout.

Startup Name: Exergy3

Industry: Climate Tech

Region: United Kingdom

Amount (USD): $13.5 million

The problem it is solving: Industrial heating relies heavily on fossil fuels and is extremely difficult to decarbonise due to the need for continuous, high-temperature heat. At the same time, renewable energy is often wasted because power grids cannot absorb excess generation in real time. This creates a dual inefficiency: carbon-intensive industrial processes on one side and unused clean energy on the other. Exergy3 bridges this gap by converting surplus renewable electricity into high-temperature industrial heat, enabling cleaner production while reducing energy waste.

What the Funds Will Be Spent On: Scale manufacturing capacity of its thermal energy systems. Expand its team (including doubling headcount). Accelerate deployment across industrial sites. Support geographic expansion, including opening a Munich office. Move from early validation to large-scale commercial rollout.