The rapid influx of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in the enterprise sector comes with its own set of challenges—ranging from operational deployment to security and cost management. With this pressing demand, a new startup, Nexos.ai, founded by the creators of Lithuania’s Nord Security, is stepping into the limelight. The company is poised to address the multifaceted needs enterprises face when integrating large language models (LLMs) into their operations.
Nexos.ai, founded by Tomas Okmanas and Eimantas Sabaliauskas, emerges as an extension of the entrepreneurs’ success with Nord Security, renowned for its highly lauded NordVPN. After ten years of self-sustaining growth, the Nord Security brand flourished, culminating in a significant valuation jump to $3 billion in 2022 following a massive $100 million investment. Recognizing a gap in production-scale AI deployment, Okmanas and Sabaliauskas have turned their sights on Nexos.ai, aiming to provide enterprises with the tools necessary to unlock the full potential of AI.
During a recent exit from stealth mode, Nexos.ai announced securing $8 million in funding, spearheaded by Index Ventures—marking the firm’s first investment in Lithuania. Index Ventures partner, Hannah Seal, underscored their enthusiasm for the founders, signaling the high caliber of expertise that Okmanas and Sabaliauskas bring to the AI landscape.
For organizations eager to elevate their AI capabilities, Nexos.ai presents itself as a much-needed bridge between initial pilot programs and full-scale deployment. As Okmanas vocalized, the challenges are many: ensuring consistent availability, managing costs, and maintaining security throughout the deployment process. Current practices typically require organizations to establish complex infrastructures and assemble teams of specialists, often resulting in inefficiencies and increased pressures on resources.
The founders identified this as a critical pain point, prompting them to innovate a streamlined solution that aids in AI deployment. Through their API framework, Nexos.ai grants enterprises access to over 200 distinct AI models, ranging from industry giants like OpenAI to more niche LLMs. This flexibility not only allows for swift adaptation if a service experiences downtime but also affords businesses a means to keep operational expenses in check by switching between supported models as pricing structures fluctuate.
A particularly innovative feature of Nexos.ai is its application of “intelligent caching,” a system that reduces reliance on costly LLM interactions for frequently asked queries. For instance, when identical inquiries arise from multiple users, the platform can source answers directly from its own database rather than incurring charges through continuous engagement with LLMs. This tactical approach not only serves to enhance cost-efficiency but also improves response times, leading to a more satisfactory user experience.
Additionally, Nexos.ai tackles the paramount issue of data security head-on. For industries like healthcare and finance, where the stakes of data breaches are astronomical, it is imperative that sensitive information is never sent unprotected to external LLM providers. In response to such concerns, Nexos.ai integrates robust guardrails ensuring the confidentiality of identifiable information (PII). A well-thought-out mechanism allows for rerouting sensitive data back to a company’s internal systems, while general inquiries can be handled within the Nexos.ai framework.
Nexos.ai’s capability to self-host will further bolster trust among enterprises traditionally hesitant to adopt AI, bolstered by the challenges faced by both NordVPN and Hostinger in recent years regarding data breaches. Recognizing that trust is the bedrock of successful AI adoption, Nexos.ai prioritizes creating a compliant environment where enterprises can deploy AI solutions without compromising their data integrity.
The startup’s roadmap evidences an awareness of these critical issues, positioning them not only as a technical solution provider but also as a trusted partner in navigating the complexities of AI deployment.
Nexos.ai has emerged at a pivotal moment where businesses are seeking practical applications of AI technology beyond mere hype. As enterprises scramble to adopt AI at scale, Nexos.ai promises to fortify the infrastructure necessary to effectuate this transformation. With the founders’ rich history in the tech sector and the backing of formidable investors, the future of Nexos.ai promises to be as dynamic as the technology it aims to support. This melding of innovation, security, and accessibility heralds a new era for enterprises keen on leveraging artificial intelligence to achieve competitive advantages while maintaining data governance and operational efficiency.