Finnish AI powerhouse NestAI just closed a €100 million ($115M) funding round co-led by Nokia and Tesi, Finland's sovereign wealth fund.
This isn't just another AI deal—it's Europe's boldest move yet to build homegrown defense technology. The partnership positions NestAI to create the continent's premier physical AI laboratory for autonomous military systems.
NestAI Funding Breakdown
| Round | Amount | Lead Investors | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic Round | €100M (~$115M) | Nokia, Tesi | Nov 2025 |
| Seed (PostScriptum) | Undisclosed | PostScriptum | Sept 2025 |
From Stealth to Strategic Dominance
Founded in September 2025 by Peter Sarlin—the mastermind behind Silo AI's record-breaking $665M acquisition by AMD—NestAI emerged from stealth with nearly 50 world-class engineers from Intel, Palantir, Kongsberg, and Saab.
The startup builds next-generation AI for unmanned vehicles, autonomous operations, and command-and-control (C2) platforms across defense, logistics, and critical infrastructure.
Physical AI applies large language models to control robots and autonomous systems in real-world environments. Unlike software-only AI, NestAI's tech operates drones, ground vehicles, and defense systems in combat-ready scenarios.
Why Nokia Bet Big on Defense AI?
The strategic partnership combines Nokia's secure AI-native connectivity with NestAI's autonomous systems expertise.
Justin Hotard, Nokia's CEO, declared:
The future of defense will be defined by secure, AI-native solutions.”
The fresh capital accelerates joint R&D for unmanned systems, data-centric C2, and modern knowledge management for European defense forces.
NestAI already partners with the Finnish Defence Forces, supporting their AI Centre of Excellence launching in 2026. The timing aligns perfectly with Europe's push for technological sovereignty amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The PostScriptum Playbook
Backed by Peter Sarlin's family office PostScriptum, NestAI operates with long-term vision over quick exits.
Sarlin chairs NestAI while serving as Corporate VP at AMD, replicating the patient-capital model that built Silo AI into Europe's largest private AI lab before its AMD acquisition.
Company Snapshot
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Funding | €100M+ |
| Team Size | ~50 engineers |
| Focus Areas | Unmanned systems, C2 platforms, autonomous ops |
| Key Partners | Nokia, Finnish Defence Forces |
| AICurator Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5) |
| Market | European defense AI |
What's Next?
NestAI plans to double its team within six months while accelerating deployment with European defense forces. The startup must prove its physical AI can meet military-grade reliability standards while navigating complex defense procurement cycles.
With Nokia's infrastructure expertise and Tesi's sovereign backing, NestAI is positioned to become Europe's answer to American defense tech giants—if it can deliver battlefield-ready AI at scale.
Connect With NestAI
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | nestai.com |
| linkedin.com/company/nest-ai-co | |
| Chairman's Twitter | @petersarlin |
| Contact | hello@nestai.com |
