AI startup moving to The Forge in Bloomington
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - An artificial intelligence technology company in Bloomington is growing with a move to a newly opened space in the city’s Trades District.
Vivum AI says it plans to relocate to a larger, custom-designed space inside The Forge as it prepares to begin a Series A funding round later this year.
Vivum AI has developed an AI platform designed to support autonomous systems in unmanned vehicles, robotics and automobiles. The company is currently located inside Bloomington co-working and entrepreneurship center The Mill.
Senior Director Greg Sapp said in a news release that the move to The Forge marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey.
“The Mill has been instrumental in our growth, providing resources and community support to reach this stage,” Sapp said. “The Forge offers the space and environment we need to expand our capabilities while staying closely connected to Bloomington’s thriving innovation hub.”
Vivum AI currently employs 20 full-time workers, half of which are based in Indiana. The others are based in San Francisco or work remotely elsewhere.
A spokesperson said the company plans to add up to 15 additional employees after the move to The Forge.
Since its founding in 2023, Vivum AI has inked partnerships with Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division and the U.S. Air Force. The company also closed a seed round of funding, though the amount raised is being kept confidential.
“We are excited to deepen our impact as a major connector between the Department of Defense and the cutting-edge work happening here,” Sapp said.
The company plans to make the transition to The Forge in April.
“Vivum AI is a shining example of how Bloomington supports high-tech startups in scaling and succeeding,” John Fernandez, interim executive director of The Mill, said. “Their groundbreaking work in AI and their partnerships with defense organizations underscore the role of the Trades District as a hub for innovation. The Forge provides the perfect platform for Vivum AI to continue growing while contributing to Bloomington’s dynamic economy and national prominence in defense technology.”
The Forge opened the doors to the $13 million, 22,000-square-foot facility in November. Last month, Bloomington-based software startup Folia was announced as the building’s first tenant.