SAIF Autonomy raises $1.2m for NEXUS, its trustworthy AI systems guardian

SAIF Autonomy, the Cambridge Future Tech portfolio company redefining safety in physical AI systems, has raised $1.2milion in a pre-seed funding round.

The Cambridge Research Park-based company, founded in September 2023, has developed Autonomy, its flagship platform.

At Autonomy’s core is NEXUS, a real-time guardian for AI-driven systems, monitoring actions and intervening within pre-defined rules to prevent unsafe behaviour. By addressing gaps in safety and trust, NEXUS ensures embodied AI operates predictably and securely, even in the most unpredictable environments.

SAIF already has contracts with The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), The Defence Artificial Intelligence Centre (DAIC), The European Space Agency and Zenzic, and successful deployments on drones and ground vehicles. By enabling rapid certification, reducing development costs by up to 10 times, and accelerating time to market, NEXUS allows engineers to focus on innovation rather than navigating compliance hurdles.

The successful close of its pre-seed funding round was led by Palo Alto-based VC Fusion Fund.

Ryan Taylor, partner at Fusion Fund, said: “The demand for trustworthy AI systems is growing, and SAIF’s innovative solutions are timed to address this need. We are thrilled to partner with SAIF and Cambridge Future Tech as they pioneer a new era in physical AI assurance.”

With industries rapidly embracing AI and robotics, SAIF Autonomy’s novel technology arrives at a vital moment, making them uniquely positioned to address critical safety gaps in autonomous systems. This investment will enable the team to expand operations into the US while scaling rapidly to set the global standard for trustworthy autonomy.

Kyle Thomas, CEO and co-founder, SAIF Autonomy, said: “We are incredibly privileged to have Fusion Fund as our lead investor and are truly humbled by their belief in our vision.

“This partnership marks an exciting opportunity to expand into the US market and scale globally together. We are deeply committed to redefining safety in autonomous systems, and it’s inspiring to have a partner like Fusion Fund share our confidence in what we’re building.”

Owen Thompson, CEO and co-founder of Cambridge Future Tech, said: “This funding round is a testament to Kyle and Matt’s vision for SAIF Autonomy and the growing strength of UK-grown deep tech.

“With Fusion Fund’s backing, SAIF is well-positioned to expand its impact into the US and beyond, solidifying their position as a global leader in AI safety.”