NetApp selects five startups for 15th Excellerator cohort

NetApp has selected five startups for the 15th cohort of its Excellerator startup accelerator programme, focusing on technologies spanning AI-powered software engineering, generative AI security, workflow automation and intelligent data infrastructure.

The selected startups are LightSprint AI, Wald.ai, Lasso Security, Cogover and QUIPU AI. Through the six-month programme, they will receive mentorship, access to NetApp technology leaders and data infrastructure expertise, and opportunities to explore proof-of-concept (PoC) engagements with the company.

The cohort includes startups from India, the United States and Israel, reflecting a range of enterprise technology applications as businesses look to deploy AI at scale.

The five startups address different aspects of enterprise AI adoption and data management.

LightSprint AI: Develops an AI-native software engineering platform that automates software development through collaborative AI agents.

Wald.ai: Offers semantic data loss prevention (DLP) for AI communications, using contextual analysis to identify sensitive information rather than relying solely on pattern matching.

Lasso Security: Focuses on securing generative AI applications, agents and large language models.

Cogover: Provides a no-code and low-code platform for AI-powered workflow automation.

QUIPU AI: Develops a knowledge intelligence platform that converts enterprise data into contextual intelligence for AI applications.

Two startups, Cogover and QUIPU AI, are also part of ExcellerateHER, an initiative within NetApp Excellerator aimed at supporting women-founded and women-led startups through mentorship, technology expertise and enterprise opportunities. NetApp said the initiative has supported 23 women-led startups since its launch.

“AI is still altering industries and opening up new opportunities for businesses all over the world,” said Vasanthi Ramesh, vice-president of engineering and site leader at NetApp India.

She said the startups were addressing challenges enterprises face when deploying AI at scale, adding that the programme connects founders with technical expertise, mentorship and enterprise opportunities.

QUIPU AI founder and CEO Naren Meadem said the programme could help the startup move its technology from development into enterprise environments. He cited the opportunity to validate its technology with NetApp teams and explore how its long-term memory capabilities could support AI initiatives at scale.

Cogover co-founder and chief growth officer Mina Nguyen said the company aims to connect data, applications and workflows so employees and AI systems can work with the same information. She added that participation in the programme would provide opportunities to learn from businesses in India and help teams manage workflow hand-offs.

Launched in 2017, NetApp Excellerator has supported 90 startups across 14 cohorts, with participating companies collectively raising more than US$600 million in funding, according to the company.

NetApp said the programme has facilitated 30 PoC engagements and led to six commercial contracts within the company. It has also attracted more than 20 founders with PhDs.

Each cohort runs for six months. Selected startups work with NetApp teams to explore potential use cases and PoCs, with a US$15,000 grant available to support a potential PoC.

The 15th cohort continues the programme's focus on early-stage deep-tech companies working on enterprise technology challenges, particularly as organisations seek to integrate AI into software development, security, data management and business operations.