CuspAI, a Cambridge-based startup using artificial intelligence to develop new materials supported by the “godfather of AI”, has raised $30m (£24m).
The company aims to bring generative AI to the world of advanced materials. CuspAI is developing an AI search engine for users to request specific properties for new materials.
“Imagine a search engine not just for existing materials, but for all potential molecules and materials that could be created,” said co-founder and chief AI officer Prof Max Welling.
The startup has said it believes AI-designed materials will have a major impact on carbon capture and storage, a process for removing carbon from the atmosphere.
Welling said a user could request a material with properties that selectively bind carbon dioxide. The CuspAI platform would then evaluate the feasibility and optimise what the molecular structure would be to meet user criteria.
Welling – a former Microsoft Research and Qualcomm scientist – founded the company along with Dr Chad Edwards – a former employee of Google and Quantinuum.
“The AI revolution is itself creating new challenges, including rapidly increasing energy consumption and carbon emissions from data centres,” Edwards said.
“Carbon capture is just the start – the material class we have in mind are well-suited for many other applications including energy storage, catalysis and gas and water purification.
The company board will be advised by Geoffrey Hinton, a computer science pioneer known as one of the “godfathers of AI”.
“Humanity will face many challenges in the coming decade. Some will be caused by AI while others can be solved by AI,” Hinton said.
“I’ve been very impressed by CuspAI and its mission to accelerate the design process of new materials using AI to curb one of humanity’s most urgent challenges – climate change.”
The investment round was led by Hoxton Ventures and featured participation from Basis Set Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, LocalGlobe, Northzone, Touring Capital, Giant Ventures, FJ Labs, Tiferes Ventures and Zero Prime Ventures.