Gather AI Secures $40M in Series B Funding Round Led by Smith Point Capital
In a noteworthy development, Gather AI, a warehouse automation startup, has raised $40M in a Series B funding round. The round was spearheaded by Smith Point Capital, the venture capital firm established by Keith Block, the former co-CEO of Salesforce. This significant investment brings the total funding raised by Gather AI to a whopping $74 million. You can read more about it here.
A Meeting of Minds at a Logistics Conference
Gather AI’s partnership with Smith Point Capital originated from a chance encounter at a logistics conference last year. Sankalp Arora, co-founder and CEO of Gather AI, recalls that it took just five minutes for Block and his team to grasp the potential of what Gather AI was doing.
From Autonomous Helicopters to Warehouse Automation
The journey of Gather AI’s founders is as intriguing as the company’s technology. They first met while pursuing their doctoral studies at Carnegie Mellon University, where they built one of the first autonomous helicopters. Their research was tested at the FBI’s Quantico training ground. Utilizing their expertise in autonomous flight, the founders launched Gather AI in 2017.
AI-driven Warehouse Management
Gather AI’s core technology involves strategically placing standard cameras on mobile equipment like forklifts and enabling drones to fly around warehouses. These cameras and drones monitor operations and record their findings into the warehouse management systems.
The ‘Curious’ AI of Gather AI
But what makes Gather AI stand out is the method in which the AI selects what to analyze. Arora described the AI as being ‘curious’. This curiosity is directed towards boxes, barcodes, and workflows.
The AI is trained to look for lot codes, text, expiration dates, case counts, damage, occupancy, and other items. The purpose is to identify and predict potential issues such as low inventory, misplaced inventory, and workflows that could lead to safety concerns.
Bayesian AI Vision Techniques at Work
Unlike large language models (LLMs), Gather AI employs a combination of classic Bayesian techniques and neural networks. Bayesian AI vision techniques involve probability-based methods to teach computers how to interpret visual data. It allows the AI to learn using data and prior knowledge to make decisions, thereby avoiding hallucination problems that LLMs may face.
Gather AI: At the Forefront of Embodied AI
Arora believes that while Gather AI’s approach may seem old-school, it is at the vanguard of the next big thing in AI, termed ’embodied AI’. These are robots that interact with the real world, rather than through a computer chat or web application. This innovative approach won Gather AI the Nebius Robotics 2025 Prize for Vision AI and Streaming Video Analytics.
Gather AI’s Clientele and Future Plans
Presently, Gather AI employs around 60 people and boasts an impressive client list that includes Kwik Trip, Axon, GEODIS, and NFI Industries. With the recent funding, the startup is poised to further enhance its technology and expand its operations.
This significant investment underscores the growing importance of AI in the logistics and warehousing industry, paving the way for more efficient and safer operations. As the sector continues to evolve, companies like Gather AI are leading the charge in integrating advanced technologies into everyday operations.
