The capital was provided by international investors such as New Enterprise Associates and Singapore’s state fund Temasek, complemented by companies like Nvidia, Samsung, Hyundai, and Prosus. According to Welling, a large part of the amount will go toward attracting talent. The start-up currently has only thirty employees but must compete with tech giants such as Google and Microsoft. The company is also investing heavily in cloud capacity and laboratory time to validate digital discoveries in practice. One early result of this approach is a porous material that can filter CO₂. CuspAI’s system generated and virtually tested half a million variants, some of which were actually produced and tested in laboratories. One of them is now being applied in a machine in the United States. According to Welling, this mainly demonstrates the speed of the process: a full cycle can be completed in six months, whereas it used to take years.

The technology is described as a search engine for materials: researchers can enter desired properties, after which millions of possible variants are generated and filtered down to a handful of promising candidates. Companies such as Samsung and Hyundai see direct applications for their battery and energy systems. Although its headquarters are in Cambridge, CuspAI emphasizes its European roots and presence in Amsterdam. According to those involved, the interest from international investors and the growing optimism in Europe around artificial intelligence indicate that the continent is becoming increasingly attractive for international talent.

CuspAI’s ambitions go beyond current applications. In addition to improvements in batteries and water purification, the company is also exploring chip materials and even nuclear fusion. “If we find the right materials for that, it could truly change the world,” Welling said.

Read the full article on De Telegraaf.