Karavela

Karavela is an early-stage neuroscience and AI company pursuing a foundation model focused on human brain dynamics. Its described approach uses large-scale brain imaging, including next-generation MRI, and data gathered during naturalistic tasks. The company says it has collected more than 10,000 hours of brain data from over 1,000 participants across more than 10 acquisition centers; these figures indicate a data-collection emphasis as well as a modeling ambition. Potential applications described by the company include clinical research, brain decoding, and support for psychiatric and neurological trials. Its disclosed $2,344,900 pre-seed financing and 2025 founding date place it at an early stage, rather than demonstrating a mature commercial offering.

Karavela’s recorded trajectory begins with its 2025 founding and a €2 million pre-seed round announced on Aug 22, 2025, representing approximately $2,344,900. HCVC, Daphni, and First Momentum Ventures participated. A second recorded financing event, dated Oct 1, 2025, is classified as non-equity assistance and lists AGORANOV; no amount is attached to that event. The company is building toward a brain foundation model, with a hiring signal specifically pointing to recruitment for that effort. The team remains small in the available headcount indicators: the employee band is 1–10, and three current positions are identified—CEO Alexis Thual, CPO Charles Maussion, and Chief Scientific Officer Bertrand Thirion. The financing and hiring signals suggest a shift from formation toward building research and technical capacity; subsequent progress in model development, validation, and clinical partnerships is not yet documented here.