AI platform raises pre-seed funding

Bendi, an AI platform helping businesses manage supply chain risks and sustainability challenges, has raised $1.04m in pre-seed funding.

Led by Birmingham-based VC firm Midven, part of Future Planet Capital, the round included investors Heartfelt Capital (Berlin), Chasing Rainbows (San Francisco), angels, and Innovate UK.

Founded in 2020, Bendi’s flagship platform, Prism, automates supply chain mapping and ESG risk assessments.

Using AI, Prism scans over 100 risk indicators—such as human rights violations and environmental hazards—across multiple data sources and in 35 languages, giving businesses fast, cost-effective visibility into potential issues.

Bendi was co-founded by CEO Mandeep Soor, chief research officer Benjamin Norsworthy, and CTO Olivier Bacs.

Soor’s motivation stems from her mother’s experience as a seamstress, working for UK high-street brands under uncertain conditions, which instilled in her a drive to improve labour conditions globally.

She said: “As global supply chains become more complex, the tools to ensure transparency, resilience and sustainability are no longer a nice-to-have, they’re becoming a licence to operate. Our mission is to empower companies to take responsible actions and strengthen their supply chains with ease and efficiency.”

Ruper Lyle, director at Midven, said: “Bendi’s approach to supply chain transparency and risk management is critical in today’s complex and ever-changing regulatory landscape. With global legislation tightening around sustainability and responsible sourcing, Bendi is well-positioned to lead the market. We’re incredibly excited to partner with a team with such huge commercial potential that is simultaneously driving such positive change across so many industries.”