Finnish startup Spogen.ai secures pre-seed funding led by FOV Ventures to advance AI assistant for heavy machinery

Spogen.ai, a Finnish startup creating voice- and image-based assistants for heavy machinery, has secured pre-seed funding led by FOV Ventures, with support from angel investors in Finland and the U.S.

About Spogen.ai

• Spogen.ai is a Helsinki-based startup founded by Joonas Koivuniemi, Natalia Leinonen, Henri Auvinen, Juha Lemmetti. It creates is a speaking AI assistant designed to enhance machinery operation and maintenance efficiency. It transforms heavy machinery usage in sectors like construction, forestry, agriculture, mining, and ports. 

• Through a voice user interface (VUI), it provides critical data, expert advice, and allows control of machine functions with simple voice commands. Available as an easy-to-install retrofit, Spogen.ai integrates seamlessly into machine interfaces, operating both locally and online for reliable support.

“Heavy equipment can now self-drive and self-diagnose. But most machines still can’t explain their own features. That’s what we’re fixing – enabling machines to speak the operator’s language, not the other way around,” said Joonas Koivuniemi.

Investment details

The round was led by FOV Ventures, with participation from Finland and U.S. angel investors. The amount of the deal was left undiscovered. 

FOV Ventures, with partners based in London and Helsinki. The VC fund invests at the pre-seed and seed stage with a focus in Spatial, AI, 3D, and Robotics. Its initial size of investments is up to €500,000.

The funding will support Spogen.ai`s further development, the expansion of pilot programs, and the growth of partnerships in sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing.