Nous Research, the startup developing the open-source Hermes agent, has raised a $90 million Series B at a $1.5 billion valuation, confirming TechCrunch’s earlier reporting.
The round was led by Robot Ventures, with participation from other backers including Nvidia, Union Square Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Samsung, and 1789 Capital, where Donald Trump Jr. is a partner. The new financing brings the three-year-old startup’s total funding to $158 million.
Popular among developers and individuals, the open-source Hermes agent has been cloned more than 24 million times, driving roughly 2.5% of global AI token usage, according to the startup’s estimates.
The capital will fund Nous Research’s push into the enterprise sector with “Hermes for Businesses,” allowing companies to deploy customized AI agents that can handle multi-step workflows while keeping their data private and secure.
Nous was at roughly $36 million in annualized revenue by mid-September 2026 and expects to pass $100 million before the end of 2026, The Wall Street Journal reported.
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Key Takeaways:
- Major Capital Infusion:Nous Research secures $90M Series B at a $1.5B valuation, signaling strong investor confidence in its AI agent technology and market strategy.
- Open-Source to Enterprise Shift:Leveraging the widespread adoption of its Hermes agent, Nous is pivoting to target the lucrative enterprise market with privacy-focused, customizable AI solutions.
- Rapid Growth & Strategic Backing:The three-year-old startup boasts impressive revenue growth projections and a diverse investor syndicate, including tech giants like Nvidia and Samsung, underscoring its potential as a significant player in the evolving AI landscape.
Nous Research Soars: Open-Source AI Agent Valued at $1.5 Billion Following $90M Series B
In a burgeoning artificial intelligence landscape where innovation often springs from the collaborative spirit of open-source development, Nous Research has emerged as a significant force, now commanding a robust $1.5 billion valuation. The three-year-old startup, celebrated for its widely adopted open-source Hermes agent, has officially announced a successful $90 million Series B funding round, confirming earlier industry whispers reported by TechCrunch. This latest capital injection propels Nous Research’s total funding to an impressive $158 million, underscoring a deep well of investor confidence in its foundational technology and ambitious expansion plans.
A Syndicate of Strategic Backers
The Series B round was spearheaded by Robot Ventures, a firm known for its early and strategic investments in groundbreaking tech. The round also saw significant participation from a diverse and influential group of backers, highlighting the broad appeal and perceived potential of Nous Research’s work. Among these are industry heavyweights like Nvidia, a critical enabler of AI innovation through its GPU technology, and Samsung, a global titan in electronics and enterprise solutions. Their involvement suggests not just financial support but a strategic alignment that could accelerate Nous Research’s technological advancements and market penetration.
Further strengthening the investor syndicate are prominent venture capital firms such as Union Square Ventures and Menlo Ventures, both with a history of backing transformative companies. Notably, 1789 Capital, a firm where Donald Trump Jr. is a partner, also participated, reflecting a widening interest in the AI sector across diverse investment profiles. This blend of specialized tech VCs, strategic corporate investors, and broader capital funds paints a picture of a company with multifaceted appeal and robust backing for its future endeavors.
The Hermes Agent: A Testament to Open-Source Power
At the heart of Nous Research’s meteoric rise is the Hermes agent, an open-source AI solution that has resonated powerfully with developers and individual users alike. Its popularity is not merely anecdotal; the startup reports that the Hermes agent has been cloned over 24 million times, a staggering figure that speaks to its utility, flexibility, and the vibrant community it has cultivated. This widespread adoption translates into tangible impact, with Nous Research estimating that Hermes drives approximately 2.5% of global AI token usage. This metric is a powerful indicator of real-world application and active engagement, positioning Hermes as a critical component in a significant portion of AI-driven operations worldwide.
The success of Hermes exemplifies the power of the open-source model in AI development. By allowing developers free access to its core technology, Nous Research has fostered a collaborative environment that accelerates innovation, identifies new use cases, and strengthens the agent’s capabilities through community contributions. This grassroots adoption has provided a strong foundation of credibility and a ready-made ecosystem as the company now sets its sights on broader horizons.
Pivoting to Enterprise: “Hermes for Businesses”
With its new infusion of capital, Nous Research is poised for its next major strategic move: a determined push into the enterprise sector with a specialized offering dubbed “Hermes for Businesses.” This pivot is a natural evolution for a company whose technology has already proven its mettle in diverse, decentralized environments. The enterprise offering aims to address critical pain points for businesses looking to leverage AI agents without compromising on data security or customization.
“Hermes for Businesses” will enable companies to deploy highly customized AI agents capable of handling complex, multi-step workflows. A key selling point will be the assurance of data privacy and security, a paramount concern for any organization integrating advanced AI into its operations. This focus on tailored solutions and robust data governance positions Nous Research to capture a significant share of the rapidly expanding enterprise AI market, competing with established players and promising a flexible, powerful alternative built on the proven reliability of its open-source lineage.
Financial Trajectory and Future Outlook
The confidence placed in Nous Research by its investors is well-justified by its impressive financial trajectory. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that the company was already achieving approximately $36 million in annualized revenue by mid-September 2026. Looking ahead, Nous Research anticipates a dramatic acceleration, projecting to surpass $100 million in revenue before the close of 2026. This rapid growth in revenue, particularly for a three-year-old startup in a competitive space, underscores both the market demand for its AI agent solutions and the company’s effective execution in monetizing its technology.
This financial performance, combined with the strategic depth of its investor base and the proven utility of its core product, positions Nous Research as a formidable player in the AI ecosystem. The capital will undoubtedly fuel aggressive expansion, talent acquisition, and continued research and development, ensuring that Hermes remains at the cutting edge of AI agent technology.
The Bottom Line
Nous Research’s $90 million Series B funding, leading to a $1.5 billion valuation, is more than just another headline in the booming AI sector; it’s a profound statement on the maturation of open-source AI and its burgeoning potential within the enterprise. By successfully transitioning from a widely adopted developer tool to a serious contender in business solutions, Nous Research exemplifies how grassroots innovation, coupled with strategic investment and a clear market vision, can disrupt established paradigms. The company’s impressive growth, coupled with its commitment to privacy and customization, suggests that Nous Research is not just participating in the future of AI — it’s actively shaping it, cementing its status as a critical player to watch in the coming years.
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