We are thrilled to celebrate a major milestone for CulturePulse, one of our alumni startups, as they secure a $1.5 million Seed investment from B Ventures Group (USA), Simpact VC (PL), and Rockaway Ventures (CZ)!  We spoke with Dr. Justin Lane, Co-Founder & CEO of CulturePulse, to discuss what this investment means for their future, the challenges they are solving, and how AI is shaping the next generation of predictive analytics.

CulturePulse is a leader in AI-driven behavioral analysis. Can you share how the company was founded and the core problem you’re aiming to solve?

The company was initially founded by Prof. LeRon Shults and me. We started working on AI solutions for high-risk social issues in 2015, focusing on challenges such as religious terrorism and the Syrian refugee crisis. However, we realized that working within academia wasn’t fast enough to make a real impact. We transitioned into consulting and later launched CulturePulse around the time COVID hit. The core problem we identified is that many key decisions are based on flawed data analysis. Traditional methods rely on surface-level social media metrics like likes and sentiment, but they fail to answer the critical question: “Why are people behaving this way?” Our AI approach uncovers these deeper motivations at scale, providing more actionable insights.

Your startup recently secured $1.5M in funding. How will this investment help accelerate the development of your platform and expand your team?

The key focus of this funding is to develop scalable products that can deliver our insights quickly and affordably. Our AI is designed to predict large-scale behavioral trends, so we are building a self-service platform that allows clients to access these insights on demand. This will enable us to scale globally and serve diverse market sectors that need reliable data-driven decision-making in high-risk situations.

What are the key areas of growth and expansion you’re focusing on with this new funding, and how do you plan to scale over the next 12-18 months?

Our primary areas of growth include supply chain/logistics risk analysis and branding/marketing insights. While these sectors may seem unrelated, both rely on understanding large-scale behavioral shifts. For example, if a protest movement or conflict disrupts the Middle East, it can severely impact global supply chains. Similarly, if a branding message from a major corporation is rejected by consumers, it can erase billions in market value overnight. Our AI provides predictive insights for both scenarios, helping businesses and organizations make informed decisions before crises unfold.

Your platform has been involved in high-profile projects, including collaborations with the UN. Can you share a specific example where CulturePulse made a measurable impact in solving a complex challenge?

One project we are particularly proud of took place in Northern Ireland, where our technology was first developed. We analyzed the potential effects of removing the “peace walls” that separate ethnic communities in Belfast. Surprisingly, our data suggested that removing the walls wouldn’t significantly impact cultural divisions, but leaving them up could continue to attract tourism revenue. Instead, we recommended investing in structured cross-community activities—particularly sports programs—to foster unity. Community leaders have since provided positive feedback, confirming that these programs have contributed to ongoing peace efforts.

For early-stage founders seeking investment, what valuable lessons did you learn during your fundraising process? What advice would you offer to others navigating this journey?

One key lesson is to take the path of least resistance—especially when it comes to paperwork. Many founders focus on raising funds locally, assuming it’s the easiest option, but the reality is that there is a vast amount of capital available globally. Investors are actively looking for strong opportunities, so it’s up to startups to position themselves attractively. Additionally, when given the choice, opt for straightforward investment structures like SAFE notes over lengthy term sheets. The EU is catching up with the US in this regard, and we’re fortunate to have international investors who prioritize speed and efficiency, allowing us to focus on growth rather than legal complexities.