Takeaways by Saasverse AI
- CuspAI | Series A | $100 Million | Materials Science AI Search Engine.
- Co-led by NEA and Temasek, with participation from NVentures, Samsung Ventures, and Hyundai Motor Group.
- Plans to scale operations in the U.S. and Asia, leveraging generative AI to accelerate materials discovery by 10x.
Cambridge-based AI startup CuspAI has raised $100 million in a Series A funding round, cementing its status as a transformative player in the materials science industry. The round was co-led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Temasek, with additional backing from Nvidia’s NVentures, Samsung Ventures, and Hyundai Motor Group. This milestone comes just over a year after the company’s founding and follows an earlier $30 million seed round.
CuspAI, founded in 2024 by former Quantinuum chemist and entrepreneur Dr. Chad Edwards and AI pioneer Professor Max Welling, aims to redefine how new materials are discovered. Described as the “AI search engine for materials,” the platform uses generative AI foundational models, deep learning, and molecular simulation technologies to generate candidate materials based on specific user-defined properties. This approach reportedly accelerates discovery speeds by a factor of 10 compared to traditional methods, making it a game-changer for industries reliant on advanced materials.
The company is already making waves with high-profile collaborations. Its platform is employed by Hyundai Motor Group for sustainable energy applications, Finnish chemicals company Kemira for removing harmful substances, and Meta for advancing carbon capture technologies. These partnerships underscore the platform’s versatility and its potential to address critical challenges across diverse sectors.
With the newly secured funding, CuspAI plans to expand its presence in the U.S. and Asia to meet the growing demand for its AI-driven materials discovery solutions. This strategic move aligns with the global push toward innovation in sustainable and efficient material technologies.
“ CuspAI’s rapid rise reflects the growing convergence of AI and material sciences, an intersection that has been largely underexplored but holds immense transformative potential. By combining generative AI with molecular simulations, CuspAI is not just improving efficiency; it’s enabling disruptive innovation in industries like automotive, energy, and chemicals. The caliber of investors in this round, including Nvidia and Samsung Ventures, signals strong confidence in the platform’s scalability and market impact. ” Saasverse Analyst comments
Saasverse Insights
The success of CuspAI highlights a significant trend: the application of generative AI beyond traditional text and image generation into specialized scientific domains. As industries face mounting pressure to innovate sustainably, platforms like CuspAI offer a practical solution by accelerating R&D timelines and reducing costs. This funding round also underscores the increasing strategic interest from tech giants and industrial leaders in AI-powered materials science. Looking ahead, this could pave the way for more cross-sector collaborations, with AI becoming an indispensable tool in addressing global challenges such as climate change, resource efficiency, and sustainable manufacturing.