New investment in Astut Limited

Mindflair plc, the company focused on investing in Artificial Intelligence ("AI") related technology, is pleased to note that Sure Valley Ventures' ("SVV") second fund ("SVV2"), in which Mindflair holds an interest, has completed a new investment in Astut Limited ("Astut").

Astut is a hybrid AI company spun out from the University of Oxford's mathematics department. The company, based at the Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire, has already engaged in pilot discussions with organisations in defence and security (including the Ministry of Defence). The funding raised will be used to expand its development team, enhance its hybrid AI platform and establish key channel partnerships across multiple industries.

SVV3 co-led a £1.6 million seed funding round alongside East X Ventures, with participation from the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund ("UKI2S"), managed by Future Planet Capital.

Founded in April 2025 by Professor Pete Grindrod CBE, Astut is developing Hybrid AI technology that enables transparent and auditable decision-making in high-stakes scenarios where no historical data exists. These High Stakes Unseen Decisions arise in situations such as defence and geo-political scenarios, where traditional AI models are unable to operate effectively.

Astut's technology integrates symbolic reasoning with generative AI, creating decision options that are logically consistent and explainable - a key differentiator in a market increasingly concerned with the opacity of AI-driven decisions.

Nicholas Lee, Director of Mindflair plc, commented:

"This investment in Astut reflects the continued focus on identifying and supporting cutting-edge AI companies that are addressing some of the most complex challenges in the sector. Astut's hybrid AI technology exemplifies the kind of innovation that can redefine how organisations make mission-critical decisions."