SoftBank Vision Fund 2 Invests $140M in Vianai - AI Startup

Vianai Systems Secures $140 Million in Funding

Vianai Systems, an artificial intelligence startup established by Vishal Sikka – formerly the CEO of Infosys – announced on Wednesday a successful funding round of $140 million.

This investment was spearheaded by SoftBank Vision Fund 2. The company has now raised a total of at least $190 million to date.

Details of the Funding Round

The two-year-old company indicated that several prominent figures within the industry also contributed to this latest funding round.

Previously, Vianai Systems secured $50 million in seed funding; however, the amount raised during its Series A round remains undisclosed.

Vianai Systems' Focus

The precise nature of the Palo Alto-based startup’s operations is not fully detailed.

Dr. Vishal Sikka, aged 54, articulated that the company is dedicated to developing an improved AI platform.

This platform is designed to prioritize human insight within systems that leverage extensive AI capabilities, ultimately enhancing human potential.

Sikka’s departure from Infosys in 2017 followed a period of disagreement between the company’s board and its founding members.

A Human-Centered Approach to AI

“Vianai empowers its clientele to maximize their organizational transformation potential,” the company stated.

This is achieved through the utilization of sophisticated AI and ML tools, with a unique emphasis on the integration of human expertise and technology.

This human-centric methodology sets Vianai apart from other platform and product companies.

It enables customers to realize the full potential of artificial intelligence.

Notable Clients and Investors

The startup reports having already acquired a portfolio of clients that include some of the world’s most prominent and respected organizations.

Among these is the insurance leader, Munich Re.

Key investors include Jim Davidson (Silver Lake co-founder), Henry Kravis and George Roberts (KKR co-founders), and Jerry Yang (AME founding partner and Yahoo co-founder).

Furthermore, Dr. Fei-Fei Li (co-director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI) has joined Vianai Systems’ advisory board.

SoftBank's Perspective

Deep Nishar, senior managing partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers, commented on the investment.

“We believe Vianai’s human-centered AI platform and products offer global enterprises the operational and customer intelligence needed for improved decision-making,” Nishar stated.

“We are excited to collaborate with Dr. Sikka and the Vianai team to support their mission of delivering on the promise of AI to drive significant digital transformations.”