# Variational AI

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/variational-ai

- Industry: Biotechnology
- Headquarters: Vancouver, Canada
- Website: www.variational.ai/
- Total disclosed funding: $9M
- Latest round: Seed (Feb 20, 2025)
- Investors on record: 9

## About

Based in Canada, Variational AI specializes in innovative drug discovery solutions, leveraging advanced generative AI technology to efficiently identify and generate novel drug-like small molecules for therapeutic applications.Founded in 2019 in Vancouver, Canada, Variational AI focuses on enhancing drug discovery processes. The company was established by Ali Saberali, Jason Rolfe, and Zaccary Alperstein. It has successfully completed 3 funding deals, with the most recent being a Seed round where it raised USD 5.5 mn led by Nimbus Synergies, along with participation from several other investors. The total amount raised by Variational AI to date stands at USD 5.5 mn.Variational AI specializes in innovative drug discovery through its core product, the Enki™ Platform, a generative AI tool designed to identify and generate novel drug-like small molecules efficiently. This platform has been trained on over 570 biological targets across various classes, including GPCRs, kinases, and hydrolases, enabling users to select target properties quickly and effectively. The primary end use of the Enki™ Platform is to facilitate the discovery of therapeutics across multiple disease areas, directly addressing the challenges of traditional drug development timelines and costs. Variational AI collaborates closely with biopharmaceutical partners, including academic institutions and industry leaders, to refine and deploy these solutions in regions such as North America and Europe, where the demand for innovative drug development is significant.Variational AI generates revenue primarily through partnerships and collaborations with biopharmaceutical companies that utilize its Enki™ Platform for drug discovery. These partnerships typically involve tailored agreements where clients access the platform's capabilities, benefiting from its ability to expedite the identification of viable drug candidates. The transactions structured around these collaborations can include subscription models or project-based fees, where clients pay for specific services rendered or access to the platform for a defined period. Revenue from these engagements reflects the value provided in accelerating drug development processes, with the Enki™ Platform being the flagship offering that embodies the company's commitment to transformative solutions in the pharmaceutical sector.In February 2025, Variational AI raised USD 5.5 mn in Seed funding, led by Nimbus Synergies, with participation from other investors including Defined Capital, Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, Quimby Investments (VCC) Ltd., and ThresholdImpact. The funding will be utilized to expand the company's compute-efficient model tailored for biopharmaceutical companies. Variational AI intends to launch new enhancements to the Enki™ Platform and explore entry into additional markets across Europe and North America by 2026, aiming to broaden its reach and impact in the drug discovery field.

## Funding rounds

- Seed, Feb 20, 2025, $5.5M — Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, Flying Fish, Quimby Investments (VCC) Ltd., A&E Investment, Nepenthe Capital, Nimbus Synergies, ThresholdImpact, Defined Capital
- Seed, Nov 17, 2021, $3.5M — Alliance of Angels, Flying Fish, A&E Investment

## Investors

- Alliance of Angels (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/alliance-of-angels) — Seed
- Flying Fish (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/flying-fish) — Seed
- A&E Investment (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/a-e-investment) — Seed
- Merck Global Health Innovation Fund (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/merck-global-health-innovation-fund) — Seed
- Quimby Investments (VCC) Ltd. — Seed
- Nepenthe Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/nepenthe-capital) — Seed
- Nimbus Synergies (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/nimbus-synergies) — Seed
- ThresholdImpact (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/thresholdimpact) — Seed
- Defined Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/defined-capital) — Seed