Nous Research Secures US$90 juta Series B Funding for Open-Source AI Expansion
Nous Research, the open-source AI developer behind the Hermes agent models, secured US$90 juta in Series B financing at a US$1,5 miliar valuation, bringing its total funding to US$158 juta. Robot Ventures led the round, with participation from Nvidia, Union Square Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Samsung, and 1789 Capital, a firm featuring Donald Trump Jr. as a partner. The three-year-old startup reached an annual revenue run rate of US$36 juta by mid-September 2026 and targets US$100 juta before the end of the year, according to company figures.
Nous Research targets enterprise expansion with Hermes for Businesses
The capital injection follows widespread adoption of the company’s open-source technology. Hermes agents have been cloned more than 24 juta times and account for approximately 2.5% of total global AI token usage. Nous Research is channeling the new funds into enterprise expansion through “Hermes for Businesses,” a service designed to let corporate clients deploy AI agents capable of handling multi-step workflows while keeping internal data private and secure. This shift mirrors a broader infrastructure model: building a massive developer community with open-source tools before monetizing compliance and security for large corporations. Investors such as Nvidia and Samsung highlight how hardware and chip makers are positioning themselves around advanced AI agent deployments.
Open-source tools help local developers avoid proprietary licensing fees
The open-source nature of Hermes gives local developers and startups access to advanced AI tools without expensive proprietary licensing fees, particularly within fintech, logistics, and customer service. At the same time, dominant global models make it difficult for regional startups to compete in core segments where large corporations prefer established vendors with strict compliance frameworks. Financial institutions remain among the fastest adopters due to pressure for cost efficiency and automated workflow management. Independent local system integrators face potential margin compression as autonomous AI agents handle end-to-end tasks previously managed through manual configuration and basic integration services.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Nous Research Funding Round
What specific industries are adopting Hermes AI agents fastest?
Financial services and banking sectors lead the adoption curve, driven by demands for cost reduction and complex automated workflow processing.
How does the enterprise product protect sensitive corporate data?
The “Hermes for Businesses” suite allows companies to deploy agents that manage multi-step tasks while ensuring proprietary data remains private and secure behind corporate controls.
What role do hardware investors play in the funding round?
Participating hardware leaders like Nvidia and Samsung signal an industry-wide push to tightly integrate software AI agents with foundational microchips and device hardware.
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