Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly revolutionizing nearly every sector, garnering immense investment and inspiring innovation across fields. Looking at how funds were raised in recent funding rounds tells a different story. AI applications are finally starting to address real-world challenges in very mature markets such as food, fitness, fashion and finance. Companies are leveraging AI to optimize processes, personalize experiences, and create more sustainable business models, signaling a shift towards AI-driven solutions in everyday life.

Denver-Based Burstverse AI Secures $15 Million to Advance Intelligent Financial Protocols

Burstverse AI, a Denver-based company, recently raised $15 million in funding. This capital will be used to speed the development of their AI-powered financial tools that will serve the blockchain space. The firm has a stated mission to create the “intelligent financial protocols." They use AI to power proprietary trading strategies, manage risk, and maximize yield generation on multiple blockchain networks. This funding will enable Burstverse AI to expand its engineering roster. To bring those models more quickly to market, it will accelerate the development of its foundational AI models.

The intention of the company is to democratize access to complex AI tools that were only available in legacy finance.

"Traditional finance has been using AI for decades to gain trading advantages," - Elijah Martinez, Burstverse co-founder.

"We’re democratizing those capabilities and making them available to DeFi participants through permissionless protocols that anyone can access," - Elijah Martinez, Burstverse co-founder.

We deliver AI-powered solutions everyone can use—from field workers to executives.

"We see Burstverse as bridging the gap between centralized finance’s sophisticated AI tools and the decentralized ethos of blockchain," - Sarah Wu, Node Capital’s investment director.

David Kim David is the founder and CEO of Burstverse AI. With these funds, Burstverse AI will be set to create a major shift in the DeFi ecosystem.

Arketa Receives $15 Million to Personalize Fitness Through AI

Arketa, based in Oakland, California, since March has received $15 million in Series A financing. First Round Capital and Y Combinator are helping to fuel the expansion of its AI-driven fitness platform. To that end, the company is developing highly-specific, individualized training regimens informed by user biomechanics, goals and ongoing performance data. By personalizing workout routines and delivering real-time coaching tips, Arketa’s platform helps users get the most out of every workout and unlock their full fitness potential.

"The $15 million will primarily fund two initiatives," - David Kim, Arketa's founder and CEO.

Arketa’s AI algorithms take into account an individual’s goals, capabilities, and lifestyle to design a personalized training program, optimizing results while helping to avoid injury.

"We’re essentially putting an expert trainer, physical therapist, and data scientist in every user’s pocket," - David Kim, Arketa's founder and CEO.

With this investment, Arketa looks to add features to its platform and sell them to more of the public.

X Robotics Raises $2.5 Million to Automate Restaurant Operations

X Robotics, a new company founded by veterans of the San Francisco startup scene, has raised $2.5 million. The investment was part of a consortium led by BergTop VC and Republic Capital. The company’s mission is to create cutting-edge AI-enabled robotic solutions tailored for the restaurant industry. Just like their humanoid counterparts, their goal is to automate food prep, cooking and serving. For the restaurant industry, X Robotics is a glimpse at AI’s more realistic use.

Michael Chen founded and manages X Robotics, an award-winning provider of robotic automation. The $2.5 million will support the final development of X Robotics’ commercial prototype and first deployments in test kitchen settings. This funding will allow X Robotics to continue developing its technology and gearing up for more widespread deployment in restaurants.

X Robotics’ tech is pretty remarkable, and it can dramatically improve efficiency and reduce costs. It’s improving operational efficiencies and the customer experience in the food service industry. Its robots powered by AI take care of the mundane tasks with amazing accuracy and uniformity you can depend on. This frees up human staff to focus on higher-skilled, customer-centered positions.

Refiberd Secures $200,000 to Drive Sustainable Fashion with AI

Located in Oakland, California, Refiberd has received $200k in funding. PDS Ventures is a proud supporter of the company’s innovative AI-driven approach to sustainable fashion. The company, which recently launched an AI-powered recycling solution for tires, is now applying those technologies to the textile waste created by the fashion industry. Refiberd’s technology will revolutionize how we sort and process textile waste. It increases recycling effectiveness, creating a larger circular economy while drastically lowering the negative environmental outcomes of the fashion industry.

The international fashion industry is valued at $1.7 trillion and is facing growing demands to mitigate its negative environmental impact. With Refiberd’s AI-powered solutions, there is a highly effective way to tackle this challenge.

"What makes Refiberd particularly interesting to investors is how they’re applying advanced computer vision and material science AI to solve a tangible problem in the fashion supply chain," - Samantha Torres, industry analyst at Fashion Tech Insights.

By utilizing AI technology to scale up the process of textile recycling, Refiberd is making the innovation in fashion’s new circular economy possible.

"What’s particularly exciting about this wave of AI funding is how it’s transforming traditional industries rather than just creating new technology categories," - Maria Fernandez of Emergence Capital.

"These companies are solving real problems in massive markets, which ultimately creates more sustainable business models and better long-term investment opportunities," - Maria Fernandez of Emergence Capital.