Paris-based voice AI startup Gradium has expanded its seed round to new backers, including Nvidia, bringing total funding to $100 million. The company said the fresh capital will support its next growth phase and help it build a stronger presence in the Bay Area.
Founded after emerging from French AI lab Kyutai, Gradium focuses on audio models designed for ultra-low latency voice responses. In practical terms, that means faster, more natural AI conversations with minimal delay.
The startup first came out of stealth in December with $70 million from investors including FirstMark Capital, Eurazeo, DST Global Partners, Eric Schmidt, and Xavier Niel. It was co-founded by researcher Neil Zeghidour, whose background includes work at Google Brain, DeepMind, and Facebook.
Gradium is entering a competitive voice AI market, but it says it is already attracting customers such as Renault. With new funding and a transatlantic expansion plan, the company is positioning itself at the intersection of European AI talent and Silicon Valley scale.
This move suggests voice-first AI could become a more seamless part of everyday digital experiences in the years ahead.