Munich and Paris-based startup Pruna AI announces the completion of its €6.2 million ($6.5 million) seed funding round. The money comes from EQT Ventures with participation from Daphni, Motier, and Kima, as well as Business Angels such as Roxane Varza, Hervé Nivon and Olivier Pomel. Founded in 2023, Pursue wants to use the fresh capital to expand its technical team.
Pruna AI optimizes machine learning models using compression methods such as pruning and quantization, making developers more efficient. The platform makes it easier for ML teams to reduce costs and simplify optimization processes, while making models more powerful and scalable. This should enable companies of all sizes to operate more efficiently, even without the infrastructure of large tech companies. At the same time, Pruna AI reduces the energy consumption of AI models by increasing efficiency, promoting sustainability and extending the lifespan of hardware.
Bertrand Charpentier, Co-founder and Chief Scientist at Pruna, commented on the funding:
"EQT Ventures' investment in Pruna AI comes at a pivotal time for our company's growth, and we look forward to scaling and accelerating our product launch with their support. The proceeds from our capital raise will also be used to expand our talented team, which has already tripled in size. This will enable us to achieve our goal of helping engineers develop AI in the fastest, most cost-effective, and most sustainable way possible. EQT Ventures was a clear choice as a partner—they are experts in helping young, ambitious companies scale and sustainably innovate for the future, which is at the core of what we do."
Carl Svantesson, Partner at EQT Ventures, says:
"Striking the right balance between growth and environmental responsibility is of paramount importance for companies of all sizes today. By combining efficiency and sustainability, Pruna AI is not only democratizing cutting-edge technology but is also committed to a future where every company can scale quickly and responsibly. The Munich-Paris ecosystem provides the team with additional leverage in a highly competitive market, providing them with a strong commercial base and a compelling talent acquisition opportunity. We are delighted to welcome Pruna AI to our portfolio."
