Procense Raises $1.5M in Seed Funding to Accelerate AI-Powered Manufacturing

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Procense, a San Francisco-based industrial automation startup developing cutting-edge AI and remote sensing technologies for process manufacturers has raised $1.5 million in a seed funding round led by Kevin Mahaffey, Business Insider’s #1 seed investor of 2025 and HighSage Ventures, a Boston-based family office that primarily invests in public and private companies in the global software, internet, consumer, and financial technology sectors.

The new capital will enable Procense to expand its team and accelerate development of an AI-native manufacturing platform—one that automates process optimization, adapts to each facility’s unique workflows, and replaces manual configuration with intelligent software agents. This includes LLM-powered tools that digitize paper processes in minutes, AI-driven customization engines for seamless integration and workflow setup, and real-time process engineering agents that identify inefficiencies and drive continuous optimization—transforming how manufacturing systems are deployed, operated, and improved.

“To compete in today’s business environment, it’s obvious that top manufacturers will need Procense’s technology in order to meet the changing regulatory landscape, digitize operational data, and prepare for the next generation of AI-optimized industrial automation,” said Business Insider’s #1 seed investor of 2025, Kevin Mahaffey. “I am excited to help accelerate the Procense business so they can continue on their aggressive growth trajectory and bring innovative AI solutions to even more manufacturers across market segments.”

In today’s uncertain environment of labor constraints, rising production costs and shifting tariff policies, manufacturers are increasingly looking to digitize their operations to prepare for AI technology as a solution to maintain profitability. Procense is laser-focused on delivering proven solutions that streamline operations by leveraging AI tools that decrease onboarding time while enabling data collection and digitization, allowing manufacturers to better navigate these challenges in a cost-effective way that meets and exceeds today’s regulatory requirements.

“Since our launch, Procense has been dedicated to helping its customers modernize their production and quality data management, but today’s changing business environment has made our mission to deliver real-time visibility, automation, and predictive insights more important than ever before,” said Nirat Keswani, CEO and Co-Founder of Procense. “The Procense team is thrilled to have the support of proven investors Kevin Mahaffey and HighSage Ventures. Their track record of identifying and funding successful start-ups represents a meaningful vote of confidence for our industrial automation platform.”

Procense’s full-stack technology enables manufacturers to easily embrace a move to digitalization by integrating innovative Industrial IoT sensors that continuously track and record in-process operational data, allowing for the elimination of cumbersome paper-based and manual data collection. Along with simplifying operations, digitizing production data creates a foundation for future AI applications to identify inefficiencies, recommend corrective actions, proactively optimize production and customize systems over time.

For Procense’s customer, Dr. Squatch, the introduction of the Procense's platform allowed the company to reduce or eliminate time-consuming manual tasks, improve compliance documentation workflows, to better monitor production, quality, and process deviations. After implementing Procense’s IoT sensors, digitizing paper based processes, adding real-time visibility into in-process production operations, and automating traceability the company realized 10% faster cycle times per batch, which translates into a significant returns for Dr. Squatch.

“We’re completing batches faster with less paperwork and fewer mistakes,” reports Dr. Squatch Lead Operator Leticia Rodriguez. “We’re saving time and gaining confidence. It’s helping us grow production without adding more stress or paperwork.”