Applied Computing, a UK-based AI company, has raised $20 million in a funding round led by KBR, the global engineering and technology services firm, with Databricks Ventures joining as a new investor. The announcement follows the company’s annual demo day, held at the Energy Institute in London, where Applied Computing demonstrated Orbital, described as the first foundation model built specifically for energy operations working live.
Orbital is a purpose-built AI model designed for the operational demands of the energy sector, a market that has historically been underserved by general-purpose AI models due to the specialized nature of its data, workflows, and safety requirements. The distinction between a general-purpose foundation model and one built specifically for energy operations lies in the training data, domain-specific reasoning capabilities, and integration with the operational systems energy companies actually use.
The funding will support three priorities: international expansion, including a new office in Houston, Texas, to deepen the company’s presence in the U.S. energy market; accelerated commercial deployment with global energy operators; and continued investment in AI research. Applied Computing also noted that it plans to announce its first partnership with a European oil major in the coming weeks.
KBR’s participation as lead investor is strategically notable as the firm provides engineering, technology, and advisory services to energy and government clients globally, giving Applied Computing both capital and a significant commercial distribution channel into the sector it is targeting.
