A startup that builds other startups has turned its focus to creating proprietary AI solutions for corporate customers, raising $100 million along the way. Vantora, formerly UP.Labs, now works exclusively on projects that benefit its partners, with a strong emphasis on physical AI.

The shift means that ideas too sensitive to share with the public can now be developed and owned by the companies themselves. This could lead to more advanced and specialized AI technologies in industries like manufacturing and transportation, but at the cost of innovation being kept in-house.

John Kuolt, founder and CEO of Vantora, explains that this approach allows the company to explore more strategic and sensitive projects, such as retrofitting hardware for autonomy. For example, J.B. Hunt’s AI project that was previously too sensitive for public release can now be fully developed and kept proprietary.

The investment from Silversmith Capital Partners marks Vantora’s first external funding, and the company has already partnered with major corporations like Porsche, Alaska Airlines, and J.B. Hunt. This move towards proprietary innovations could signal a new era of AI development focused on corporate needs over public benefit.