Applied Computing, a British artificial intelligence
company developing foundation models for energy operations, has raised $20
million in a funding round led by KBR, with participation from Databricks Ventures.
Headquartered in London, with offices in Bengaluru and
Houston, Applied Computing develops AI technology designed specifically for the
energy sector.
Check out our earlier interview with Dan Jeavons, the president of Applied Computing.
Its flagship platform, Orbital, combines physics-informed
AI with models for chemical engineering, time-series forecasting and language
to help operators improve efficiency, reduce emissions, strengthen reliability
and optimise decision-making across upstream, downstream and petrochemical
operations. Unlike general-purpose AI tools, Orbital is purpose-built for real
operating environments.
Applied Computing has strengthened its commercial position
over the past year through major partnerships, a growing presence in India and
the addition of senior talent from across the energy and AI sectors.
The investment builds on an existing commercial
relationship between Applied Computing and KBR. Alongside the funding, the two
companies have signed a multi-year agreement to develop exclusive AI products
for the energy sector.
Callum Adamson, CEO and co-founder of Applied Computing,
said the investment and partnership with KBR will accelerate the deployment of
Orbital across the global energy industry.
Our mission is to provide operators with a foundation
model that unlocks advantage at scale while delivering pathways to production
that are safer, more efficient and far less carbon intensive.
The funding will support Applied Computing’s international
expansion, including the opening of a new office in Houston, Texas, while
accelerating the commercial deployment of Orbital, expanding its research and
engineering teams and deepening deployments with major energy customers.