Newcastle-based technology startup Rightbrain AI has successfully raised £3 million in a funding round led by the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II. This investment is aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises overcome the significant barriers to deploying artificial intelligence. The capital will empower the company to scale its platform, which integrates AI directly into existing business workflows.
Bridging the AI Deployment Gap
Many businesses are pressured to adopt AI but face hurdles in its practical application, particularly around safe and effective deployment. Key challenges include compliance, data security, and integration with legacy systems, which often stall AI projects. This creates a clear market need for a more accessible and secure solution for AI integration.
Rightbrain AI addresses this gap by acting as a software bridge to leading AI models from providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. The platform integrates into existing tools such as CRMs, eliminating the need for a complete digital transformation. This approach allows teams to leverage powerful AI capabilities without disrupting their established workflows or hiring specialist developers.
A Service-Oriented Approach
The company employs an "agents-as-a-service" model, working with clients to map their unique workflows and build custom AI agents. This collaborative process ensures that deployed solutions are tailored to specific operational needs and can evolve over time. By embedding these agents, Rightbrain helps traditional B2B service firms become AI-native businesses without major overhauls.
This integration facilitates the automation of repetitive tasks, enhancing both efficiency and consistency across operations. For businesses in sectors like marketing and recruitment, this means faster lead research and streamlined client onboarding. The platform is purpose-built to provide a secure and compliant path for organizations to harness AI's potential.
Strategic Investment for Growth
The £3 million investment was spearheaded by NPIF II – PXN Equity Finance, managed by PXN Ventures. The round also saw continued support from existing investors Salica and NYDIG, who were joined by four new angel investors. This strong backing reflects confidence in Rightbrain's vision and its experienced founding team's ability to execute.
Rightbrain plans to allocate the new capital toward strategic hires to support its growing customer demand. The funding will also be used to scale its partner program, both within the United Kingdom and internationally. Additionally, the company will deploy its own AI platform to identify and convert new customers more efficiently.
Expanding Through Partnerships and Vision
A key area of growth for Rightbrain is its expanding partner network, which has shown strong market pull. The platform offers white-label AI infrastructure for technology consultancies, enabling them to build and deploy tailored agents for their clients. This model significantly shortens the time-to-market for partners looking to offer advanced AI products.
Co-founder Peter Cheyne stated that the main challenge for businesses is deploying AI safely and effectively. "We’re helping traditional B2B services evolve into AI-native businesses by embedding agents into their core workflows," he explained. This approach removes friction and provides a single platform to govern intelligent tools without rebuilding infrastructure.
Andy Barrow, Managing Director at PXN Ventures, praised the founders' track record in complex, regulated environments. He noted that as AI deployment scales, the need for robust infrastructure with strong governance becomes critical. Barrow expressed excitement in backing Rightbrain as it helps businesses unlock the potential of artificial intelligence safely.
This £3 million funding injection marks a pivotal moment for Rightbrain AI, positioning it to meet the demand for practical AI solutions. By focusing on seamless integration and a partnership-driven model, the startup is set to empower more businesses to adopt AI effectively. The investment will accelerate its mission to help firms navigate the complexities of AI deployment and realize its value.