NetApp Excellerator Cohort 15: Selects Five Deep-Tech Startups

NetApp has selected five deep-tech startups for the 15th cohort of its startup accelerator, NetApp Excellerator, with the latest cohort focusing on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, workflow automation and enterprise data intelligence.

The five startups are LightSprint AI, Wald.ai, Lasso Security, Cogover and QUIPU AI are from India, the United States and Israel. The six-month programme will provide the founders with mentorship, access to NetApp technology leaders and data infrastructure expertise, along with opportunities to explore proof-of-concept (PoC) engagements.

Five Startups Selected for NetApp Excellerator Cohort 15

LightSprint AI is developing an AI-native software engineering platform that uses collaborative AI agents to automate parts of software development.

Wald.ai focuses on semantic data loss prevention for AI communications. Its technology uses contextual analysis to identify sensitive information and address the risk of confidential data being exposed through AI-powered tools.

Lasso Security develops cybersecurity solutions for generative AI applications, AI agents and large language models, focusing on security risks associated with enterprise AI deployment.

Cogover offers a no-code and low-code workflow automation platform designed to connect business data, applications and processes. Its platform is intended to allow employees and AI systems to work with shared information.

QUIPU AI develops enterprise knowledge intelligence technology that converts organisational data into contextual intelligence for AI applications. The company is also working on long-term memory capabilities for enterprise AI systems.

Two of the selected startups, Cogover and QUIPU AI, are also part of ExcellerateHER, NetApp’s initiative supporting women-founded and women-led startups. NetApp said the initiative has supported 23 women-led startups since its launch.

Together, the five companies cover different areas of enterprise AI adoption, including software development, AI security, data protection, business workflow automation and making enterprise information usable by AI systems.

Six-Month Programme to Focus on Enterprise Validation

NetApp Excellerator was launched in 2017 and has supported 90 startups across its first 14 cohorts, according to the company. Participating startups have collectively raised more than $600 million, while the programme has facilitated 30 proof-of-concept engagements and resulted in six commercial contracts within NetApp. These figures represent the programme’s cumulative track record and are not outcomes from the newly selected cohort.

Under Cohort 15, the selected startups will work with NetApp teams for six months to explore potential enterprise use cases and PoC projects. Each startup is eligible for a $15,000 grant to support a potential PoC, alongside access to technical expertise and mentorship. Participation in the accelerator does not by itself indicate that a startup has secured a commercial contract or deployment with NetApp.

The programme is designed to give the startups an opportunity to test their technologies in enterprise environments and refine their products with input from NetApp teams. For companies working on AI security, data intelligence and workflow automation, this can also provide a route to assess how their products work with existing enterprise infrastructure.