[Lauren Godwin](https://capwave.ai/author/laurengodwin) Raising a **pre-seed round** is a massive milestone. At this stage, investors are betting on **founders, market opportunity, and execution potential**. Not just revenue numbers. Here’s a list of **15 early-stage startups who recently closed their pre-seed funding round** in January and February of 2025. At this stage, they’re securing capital to **build, scale, and validate their vision**. From **AI automation to clean energy and fintech**, these companies are tackling some of the biggest challenges in their industries. Here’s a look at the startups that just raised, what they’re building, and who’s backing them. ## **1. Everstar: $4M for AI-powered nuclear plant management** Everstar is developing an **AI-driven system to optimize the operation and management of nuclear power plants**, improving safety, efficiency, and overall plant performance. - **Industry:** Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Industrial Tech - **Location:** New York, NY - **Lead Investor:** Third Prime - **Other Investors:** Excel Services, Generational Partners, Page One Ventures, Pelican Energy Partners, Virta Ventures - **Website:** [everstar.ai](https://everstar.ai/) ## **2. Limited: $3M to build a global self-custodial finance platform** Limited is creating a **financial ecosystem that allows users to spend, save, invest, and transact globally without relying on traditional banks.** - **Industry:** FinTech - **Location:** San Francisco, CA - **Lead Investor:** Third Prime - **Other Investors:** Arche Capital, The House Fund - **Website:** [limitedapp.com](https://limitedapp.com/) ## **3. Sotira: $2M to modernize B2B logistics** Sotira is **reinventing the supply chain by optimizing logistics for suppliers and buyers**, helping businesses cut costs and improve efficiency. - **Industry:** B2B, E-Commerce, FinTech, Logistics, SaaS - **Location:** San Francisco, CA - **Lead Investors:** K5 Global, Night Capital, Ritual Capital, Unusual Ventures - **Website:** [sotira.co](https://sotira.co/) ## **4. Future AGI: $1.6M to accelerate AI application development** Future AGI provides **a platform that helps businesses build, train, and deploy AI models faster and with greater accuracy.** - **Industry:** Artificial Intelligence, IT, Software - **Location:** San Francisco, CA - **Lead Investors:** Powerhouse Ventures, Snow Leopard Technology Ventures - **Other Investors:** AngelList Quant Fund, Saka Ventures, Swadharma Source Ventures - **Website:** [futureagi.com](https://futureagi.com/) ## **5. Elio: $2M to coordinate and accelerate climate action** Elio is building **a communication and coordination platform designed to streamline sustainability projects and climate initiatives.** - **Industry:** Big Data, Sustainability, Software - **Location:** Dover, DE - **Lead Investor:** Ananda Impact Ventures - **Other Investors:** Andreas Treichl, Cerulean Ventures, N&V Capital, Overview, RHEINEST, Stefan Oschmann, We\R - **Website:** [elio.earth](https://elio.earth/) ## **6. Pinkfish: $7.6M to revolutionize enterprise AI automation** Pinkfish is making **enterprise automation more accessible by allowing businesses to create workflows using natural language.** - **Industry:** Artificial Intelligence, IT, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) - **Location:** San Francisco, CA - **Lead Investor:** Norwest Venture Partners - **Other Investors:** Storm Ventures - **Website:** [pinkfish.ai](https://www.pinkfish.ai/) ## **7. Addis Energy: $4.25M to transform clean ammonia production** Addis Energy is **developing innovative methods to produce clean ammonia, aiming to revolutionize energy and fuel sustainability.** - **Industry:** Chemical, Manufacturing, Clean Energy - **Location:** Somerville, MA - **Lead Investors:** Engine Ventures, Pillar VC, Voyager Ventures - **Website:** [addisenergy.com](https://addisenergy.com/) ## **8. Systole Health: $2M to empower women’s heart health** Systole Health provides **digital tools and solutions to help women take control of their heart health and prevent cardiovascular disease.** - **Industry:** Health Care, Medical - **Location:** Allston, MA - **Lead Investor:** Benchstrength - **Other Investors:** J Ventures, January Ventures, Tom X Lee - **Website:** [systolehealth.com](https://www.systolehealth.com/) ## **9. Gaia Dynamics: $1.5M to simplify global trade compliance** Gaia Dynamics is developing **tools that help customs brokers, consultants, and brands navigate international trade with ease.** - **Industry:** Logistics, TradeTech - **Location:** Palo Alto, CA - **Lead Investors:** AI Fund, Zenda - **Website:** [gaiadynamics.ai](https://gaiadynamics.ai/) ## **10. Human: $7.3M for decentralized identity and fintech** Human is creating a **blockchain-based identity management platform focused on financial independence and security.** - **Industry:** Blockchain, Consumer, FinTech - **Location:** San Francisco, CA - **Investors:** Hummingbird Ventures, Soma Capital, Val Vavilov, Pioneer Fund - **Website:** [human.org](https://human.org/) ## **11. Whetstone Research: $1.3M to advance on-chain markets** Whetstone Research is **building protocols that facilitate decentralized finance (DeFi) and Web3 market infrastructure.** - **Industry:** Blockchain, DeFi, Web3 - **Location:** New York, NY - **Investors:** Variant, Uniswap Labs, Nascent, Figment Capital - **Website:** [whetstone.cc](https://whetstone.cc/) ## **12. Glue: $2M to automate hardware testing** Glue is developing **a software framework that automates hardware testing for industrial automation and AI-driven systems.** - **Industry:** Artificial Intelligence, Industrial Automation, Software - **Location:** Seattle, WA - **Investors:** Fortive, AIStudio Fund, PSL Ventures - **Website:** [gluestudio.com](https://gluestudio.com/) ## **13. Incept AI: $3M to bring AI voice tech to drive-thrus** Incept AI is **integrating AI-powered voice recognition into real-world applications, starting with phone orders and restaurant drive-thrus.** - **Industry:** Artificial Intelligence, Software - **Location:** New York, NY - **Investors:** Rally Ventures, 10vc - **Website:** [incept.ai](https://www.incept.ai/) ## **14. Qumis: $2.2M to streamline insurance workflows with AI** Qumis is **an AI-driven platform designed to optimize insurance knowledge management and decision-making.** - **Industry:** Enterprise Software, InsurTech - **Location:** Chicago, IL - **Investors:** Armory Square Ventures, BrokerTech Ventures, MTech Capital, Alumni Ventures - **Website:** [qumis.ai](https://www.qumis.ai/) ## **15. Taxflow: $750K to bring AI to tax and accounting firms** Taxflow is developing **AI-powered agents designed to streamline tax preparation and accounting for U.S. firms, automating complex financial workflows.** - **Industry:** Accounting, Artificial Intelligence, Tax Preparation, Web Development - **Location:** San Francisco, CA - **Investors:** BFF, Brian Requarth, Brian York, Platanus - **Website:** [jointaxflow.ai](https://www.jointaxflow.ai/) ## **More early-stage funding is flowing, but competition remains fierce** Pre-seed startups are still securing funding, but investors are **more selective than ever**. The startups that raised this month stood out with **clear market opportunities, strong teams, and scalable visions.** If you’re gearing up for a raise, the right investor connections can make all the difference. Match with yours on [Capwave.AI](http://capwave.ai/). Raise capital without the chaos ### Focusing on building your business, not fundraising. Try Capwave free.