Artomatix, Nuritas & SoapBoxLabs, three companies backed by the European Innovation Council pilot, were featured on Siliconrepublic.com's 10 amazing European AI startups to watch list. For Siliconrepublic.com there is a growing belief that the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution could be even more profound than the internet revolution and Europe is awash with talent and technology in the AI space.
Artomatix is a Dublin-based AI software firm with an innovative 3D content generation solution for digital artists. The company has received a Phase 2 grant from the EIC pilot SME Instrument in 2016 of 1.470.000 €. According to Siliconrepublic.com, the company raised €2.7m last October in a round led by Suir Valley Ventures, and recently raised a further €3.2m in Government grants from the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund and the Fast Track to Innovation Fund.
Nuritas was founded in 2014 by mathematician and bioinformatician Dr Nora Khaldi. It combines IT and life sciences expertise to mine DNA and protein data from plant materials in the hope of discovering new food components to help prevent, manage and possibly even cure disease. In particular, the company focuses on using AI to discover hard-to-find bioactive molecules called peptides which can be found in plants and can be used as ingredients to improve health. The company received a Phase 2 grant of 2.195.205€ in 2016 from the EIC pilot SME Instrument. Recently, it has received the Best Use of AI in Sector award at the AI Awards Ireland 2018. Founded in 2014 by mathematician and bioinformatician Dr Nora Khaldi, Nuritas last year became the first Irish biotech to gain direct support from the European Investment Bank, with a funding round worth €30m.
Soapbox Labs has developed a speech technology specifically for young children to help with learning, literacy and much more. This groundbreaking work has led to founder Patricia Scanlon being recognised by Forbes magazine as one of the world’s top 50 women in tech. The company has raised $5.2m in funding to date from investors that include Astia Angels and a Phase 2 grant from the EIC pilot SME Instrument of 1.486.923 € in 2018.
For Siliconrepublic.com "While the technology is often characterised as a threat to traditional job security, if you look closely at this crop of European start-ups, their use of AI is about improving outcomes in everything from health and safety to better communications and creativity.In other words, AI as a subject is very broad with a myriad of uses, and therefore could be put to work to augment human capabilities or solve big world problems."
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View Artomatix' information on the EIC SME Instrument data hub.
View Nuritas' information on the EIC SME Instrument data hub.
View Soapbox Labs' information on the EIC SME Instrument data hub.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided in the interest of knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission, or any other organisation.