Invest-NL invests in CuspAI to stimulate AI-driven development of new materials

CuspAI was founded in 2024 and operates at the intersection of artificial intelligence, chemistry, engineering, and materials science. The company develops a platform for materials discovery: designing and selecting new materials using AI, simulation, and scientific models. CuspAI has its headquarters in Cambridge, United Kingdom, and a growing presence in the Netherlands. Co-founder and CTO Prof. Max Welling is a driving force behind the Dutch AI ecosystem.

New materials are essential for solutions in energy storage, carbon capture, water treatment, semiconductors, and industrial sustainability. Traditional materials development can take years. With CuspAI, researchers and companies can define desired material properties, after which AI designs and evaluates promising candidate materials. This can accelerate the transition from scientific discovery to industrial application.

The investment demonstrates how AI increasingly contributes to innovation in the physical economy. Scientific AI can expedite scientific discovery, enable industrial applications, and strengthen strategic earning capacity. In this way, CuspAI aligns with Invest-NL’s strategy, which emphasises innovative technology, digital resilience, and investments in the national interest.

This aligns with Invest-NL Deep Dives Strategic investing in the age of intelligence and Strategic Investing in Europe's Nextgen AI, which describe how the Netherlands and Europe can establish a strong position in the next phase of AI.

Liz Duijves, senior investment manager at Invest-NL: “New materials are essential for solutions in energy, climate, industry and semiconductors. CuspAI combines AI with deep scientific knowledge to significantly accelerate the development of these materials. With this investment, we connect European frontier technology with Dutch talent, knowledge institutions, and industrial applications.”

Max Welling, co-founder and CTO of CuspAI: “The Netherlands has a strong ecosystem in AI, science, and high-tech. Invest-NL’s involvement helps us to further expand our presence in the Netherlands and collaborate on materials needed for the next generation of technological and societal solutions.”

CuspAI is building from Lab42 in Amsterdam a growing Dutch team and aims to further expand collaboration with knowledge institutions, AI talent, and industrial partners. For Invest-NL, this anchoring is an important part of the investment: ensuring that knowledge, talent, and applications related to scientific AI remain closely connected to the Netherlands.