Perciv AI, a deep-tech startup pioneering dedicated AI for radar perception, has secured €2.5 million in a seed funding round led by DayOne Capital and Keen Venture Partners, joined by Vinci Venture Capital. The investment supports Perciv AI’s mission to democratize autonomous technology by making perception safe, reliable, and affordable. Already in production with select partners, Perciv AI will use the funding to expand its operations further and scale its radar-based perception solutions across various industries such as automotive, robotics, and aerospace.
Automation in these industries is costly due to expensive LiDAR sensors, or technically challenging due to limitations of traditional radar perception. Perciv AI addresses these challenges by delivering LiDAR-like performance at a fraction of the cost through next-generation AI-driven radar and radar-camera fusion technology. This approach enables automated systems, robots, and vehicles to perceive their environment reliably under any conditions, delivering a scalable and foundational solution that works with any radar type, range, or use case.
Founded by Balazs Szekeres, Dr. Andras Palffy, and Srimannarayana Baratam, alumni of TU Delft, one of Europe’s leading technical universities, Perciv AI’s founder team combines deep technical expertise with entrepreneurial experience. Balazs, Managing Director, is an aerospace engineer with extensive experience in embedded software development, certification, and company management. Andras, Director of Technology, holds a PhD specializing in AI for radar systems and brings valuable startup experience from a Berkeley-based computer vision startup acquired by Verizon. Sriman, Director of Operations, holds an MSc in Cognitive Robotics and brings a strong background in techno-commercial roles at India’s largest automotive OEM, combining technical and business expertise.
The funding round was led by DayOne Capital, an early-stage deep-tech investor with a proven track record of mobility-focused investments, including aiMotive (acquired by Stellantis) and Commsignia. Dr. Csaba Kakosy, Managing Partner at DayOne, commented:
“Investing in Perciv AI aligns perfectly with our vision of supporting transformative technologies that not only drive cost efficiencies for OEMs but also pave the way for safer, smarter, and more sustainable mobility across industries.”
Keen Venture Partners, a pan-European venture fund based in Amsterdam and London with a focus on fast-growing tech companies in AI, Aerospace, and FinOps, co-led the round. Alexander Ribbink, General Partner at Keen and Giuseppe Lacerenza, Investor at Keen said: “We are highly impressed by the team at Perciv AI and their innovative product. Perciv AI’s unique technology redefines radar capabilities, creating new use cases that position it as a compelling alternative to LiDAR and cameras. This unlocks significant potential across a wide spectrum of applications, as enhancing the performance of radars in complex environments.”
Vinci Venture Capital, recognized for investing in early-stage European tech companies at the forefront of innovation in automotive, energy storage and management, and industrial technologies, completes the investor group. With İnci Holding as its strategic investor, Vinci leverages its corporate resources and deep industrial experience to deliver significant value to its portfolio companies by acting as a true partner. Aylin Girgin Ozbilis, Investment Director at Vinci, added: “Perciv AI demonstrates the innovation and resilience we value, backed by their proven market fit and strong interest from leading automotive and industrial players. We are proud to be part of their journey.”
With this investment, Perciv AI will scale its operations and deliver AI-powered radar perception solutions to market, enabling robust, cost-effective, and reliable autonomy across various industries.
