NobodyWho raises €2M to challenge Big Tech’s cloud AI with SLMs for local devices

NobodyWho, a Copenhagen-based open-source startup, has raised €2 million in pre-seed funding to challenge the dominance of Big Tech in the cloud-based AI market. The company is developing Small Language Models (SLMs) that can run directly on users’ devices, offering a cost-effective, data-secure, and climate-aligned alternative to large cloud-based LLMs. This approach aims to strengthen Europe's position in global AI by promoting data sovereignty and privacy. NobodyWho's technology allows SLMs to operate locally on laptops and mobile phones, ensuring that organizations and individuals retain full control over their data. The engine supports over 10,000 open-source language models. Early benchmarks indicate a training footprint up to 100 times lower and an inference footprint up to 500 times lower than cloud-based models. This technology directly impacts data security and privacy by design, as no data leaves the device, eliminating the need for constant internet access and the transfer of data to third-party servers. This architecture makes advanced AI more accessible to organizations that may be priced out of cloud-based solutions. The company is integrating directly with major developer frameworks. The company's focus on open-source technology, particularly its inference engine and developer integrations, allows for easy integration into existing projects. NobodyWho operates on an open-core business model, monetizing fine-tuning services where compute requirements can become costly. This approach represents a shift towards decentralized AI, promoting both sustainability and European digital sovereignty.