This startup is helping companies train AI with an old but buzzy technique. Read the pitch deck it used to raise $7.5 million.

A London-based startup is making waves in the AI training sector after successfully securing $7.5 million in funding. AgileRL has developed a cutting-edge platform, named Arena, designed for engineers and data scientists to streamline the process of AI model training. This innovative software allows users to run simulations, fine-tune their models prior to deployment, and monitor their performance in real time. Co-founded in 2023 by Param Kumar and Nicholas Ustaran-Anderegg, AgileRL focuses on the technique of reinforcement learning (RL), a method where systems learn through trial and error, refining their actions based on the feedback received. Though RL has its origins in the 1950s, it is currently experiencing a resurgence in AI research and development. Kumar, the CEO of AgileRL, shared insights with Business Insider about the shift in focus within the AI landscape. Following the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, many companies redirected their resources from RL to transformer technologies, which form the backbone of large language models. Unlike transformers, which analyze vast datasets all at once, RL progresses step by step, allowing for a more nuanced approach to learning. He explained, "We recognized early on that while transformers are powerful, they are primarily large statistical models. The truth is that integrating RL is essential because there is a limit to what can be inferred from data alone." Kumar illustrated this with an example involving a robotic arm tasked with moving a ball from one table to another. The arm's movement can be dissected into smaller actions—like grasping, lifting, and adjusting joints. AgileRL’s platform enables engineers to set specific parameters to optimize these individual tasks. AgileRL claims that its all-in-one training tools can significantly accelerate AI development for businesses, eliminating the need for building an AI lab from scratch. The platform includes a free tier offering limited training credits, alongside paid options for businesses and custom licenses for larger organizations. With over 300,000 downloads, AgileRL’s platform has attracted clients such as Airbus, IBM, and JPMorgan. The seed funding round was spearheaded by Fusion Fund, with support from Flying Fish, Octopus Ventures, Entrepreneur First, and Counterview Capital. AgileRL plans to utilize these funds to establish an office in San Francisco and expand its team by hiring over a dozen new engineers and market specialists. The startup also shared a glimpse of the 12-page pitch deck that helped secure the $7.5 million investment.