Lithuanian Startup Nexos.ai Secures $35 Million Series A Funding to Address AI Security Risks

Lithuania's renowned entrepreneur duo, Tomas Okmanas and Eimantas Sabaliauskas, have successfully closed a Series A round of €30 million (approximately $35 million) for their new startup, Nexos.ai. The platform, which acts as a middleman between employees and AI systems, aims to facilitate secure adoption of AI tools by enterprise companies. The current corporate data leak concerns have prompted the duo to address AI security risks rather than banning AI use. The funding round was co-led by Index Ventures and Evantic Capital at a valuation of €300 million (approximately $350 million). The startup's previous backers, Creandum and Dig Ventures, and several angel investors, including CEOs of major companies, also participated in the round.

Nexos.ai aims to act as a neutral intermediary, ensuring that data remains under control without impeding the productivity gains from AI tools. The company plans to utilize the funding to enhance its support for private AI models for sensitive data and expand its operations across Europe and North America. Nexos.ai's AI product currently comprises an AI Workspace interface for employees and an AI Gateway for developers, which serves as a control layer for security, cost management, and compliance oversight.

The startup is initially focusing on tech-savvy companies and those in regulated industries to address concerns about governance and data security. Nexos.ai's mission is to eliminate barriers to broader AI adoption, leveraging its experience from overseeing the portfolio of Tesonet, a company that builds and invests in startups. With a growing team and a focus on data sovereignty concerns, the startup aims to tap into public institutions as a potential new market beyond its enterprise focus.