AI startup Nous Research has secured $90 million in Series B funding, reaching a valuation of $1.5 billion. The investment brings the company's total funding to $158 million as it scales its open-source artificial intelligence platform.
Founded three years ago, Nous Research is known for Hermes, an open-source AI agent designed to help users complete complex, multi-step tasks. According to the company, Hermes has been cloned more than 24 million times and accounts for around 2.5% of global AI token usage.
Customized AI agents for companies
The new financing will support the launch of Hermes for Businesses, a platform aimed at organizations seeking customized AI agents for everyday workflows. The service is designed to help teams automate multi-stage processes while maintaining control over private company data.
Hermes for Businesses reflects the growing enterprise demand for AI tools that can move beyond simple chat functions and assist with coordinated tasks across internal systems. Nous Research plans to combine the adaptability of open-source development with privacy-focused deployment options for professional users.
The company said it had reached approximately $36 million in annualized revenue by mid-September 2026 and expects to exceed $100 million before the end of the year.
Nous Research's expansion signals how open-source AI agents could become a more practical part of business operations, enabling organizations to build tailored digital assistants for an increasingly automated workplace.
