AI-driven tech-startup Sapience Automata raises 1.75 crore seed funding

AI-powered driver assistance startup Sapience Automata has raised Rs 1.75 crore in a Seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures, a Gurgaon-based angel investment firm known to back innovative solutions to critical problems.

The tech startup said the raised capital will be utilized for growing sales for driver camera, building key partnerships in the automotive domain, developing advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) technology, and filing international patents.

Founded in 2021, Sapience Automata is an avant-garde startup which aims to reduce road accidents through its advanced plug-and-play driver-assistance systems (ADAS) especially designed for Indian roads.

The startup works towards eliminating accidents through advanced AI and autonomous driving tech and aims to make cutting-edge safety solutions accessible to all drivers.

Satyajit Neogi, the Co-Founder, Chief Executive, and Technology Officer of Sapience Automata, highlighted the urgency of their mission, stating, “India reports 1.5 lakh deaths and 5 lakh critical injuries every year from road accidents and it’s growing. We are committed to reduce road accidents in India by 90% by 2030.” 

 “We started by building plug n play cutting-edge ADAS technology custom made for Indian conditions, to prevent road accidents due to human errors such as distraction and drowsiness," he added.

Neogi brings over eight years of experience in self-driving cars and AI, holding a PhD from NTU Singapore while another co-founder, Unmesh Dabhade, who is also the Product Head, has over six years of expertise in IoT and software development He holds a Master’s from VJTI. Together, they lead Sapience Automata's mission to innovate road safety technology.

Operating primarily from Bengaluru, the company currently focuses on commercial fleets, laying the foundation for future expansion and scalability in the B2C market.

FlowPilot and Swaayatt Robots also operate in advanced driver assistance system (ADAS).

“Most of us know someone whose family member or close one has experienced a major road accident. It is an unfortunate reality that can’t be helped, given our dependence on different modes of transportation and driver’s circumstance," said Vikram Ramasubramanian, partner at Inflection Point Ventures, expressing his support for Sapience Automata’s mission.

“Sapience, with their AI-powered tech, reduces such unavoidable reality. IPV will always focus on supporting startups that offer innovative solutions to significant problems, and Sapience’s approach is one we’ll continue to endorse,” Vikram said.

According to startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, Inflection Point Ventures emerged as the most active investors in Q1 2024 with total of 11 investments followed by Blume Ventures, Venture Catalysts and Fireside Ventures.