FUNDING · STARTUPS · #676
Vals raises $40M Series A led by Andreessen Horowitz to build proprietary AI benchmarks
Vals, a 2024-founded startup that provides paid, non-public, industry-specific AI evaluations, raised $40 million in a Series A led by Andreessen Horowitz after a seed round backed by 8VC and Bloomberg Beta. The company tests models on complex domain tasks (law, finance, coding) and emerging areas such as recursive self-improvement, mental health, cybersecurity, biosecurity and law of armed conflict; revenue and headcount have grown rapidly and it has launched a program for federal agencies.
KEY POINTS
- Vals, a 2024-founded startup that provides paid, non-public, industry-specific AI evaluations, raised $40 million in a Series A led by Andreessen Horowitz after a seed round backed by 8VC and Bloomberg Beta.
- The company tests models on complex domain tasks (law, finance, coding) and emerging areas such as recursive self-improvement, mental health, cybersecurity, biosecurity and law of armed conflict; revenue and headcount have grown rapidly and it has launched a program for federal agencies.
- Independent, industry-specific and non-public benchmarking can more realistically assess modern AI risks and capabilities, making Vals’ evaluations influential for buyers, regulators and public trust.
WHY IT MATTERS
Independent, industry-specific and non-public benchmarking can more realistically assess modern AI risks and capabilities, making Vals’ evaluations influential for buyers, regulators and public trust.