BITE Data Corporation, a Leesburg, Virginia-based AI-native SaaS company focused on global trade compliance automation, has raised a total of $3 million across its Pre-Seed and Seed Series rounds. The company closed a $2.5 million Series Seed round led by Las Olas Venture Capital, with participation from New Dominion Angels and Blue Impact Venture Capital. This funding follows the company’s $500,000 Pre-seed round, announced in June of this year, which was supported by Techstars and Refashiond Ventures.
BITE Data is developing AI-powered tools designed to streamline global trade compliance tasks for import and export operations. The company aims to modernize an industry that has historically relied on manual workflows and legacy systems. Las Olas Venture Capital focuses on early-stage B2B software companies, particularly vertical SaaS and AI platforms that improve operational efficiency and productivity. The firm takes an active approach in supporting founders in scaling their products and commercial strategies.
BITE Data was founded in 2023 by Thariq Kara and Anne Riitho. Both founders bring prior experience in federal trade and customs enforcement. Kara previously served in a senior technical capacity with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while Riitho led supply chain investigations for multiple U.S. government agencies. The company is positioning its platform to support compliance efforts amid increasing geopolitical tensions, tariff enforcement, and sanctions activity. The newly raised capital will be used to expand engineering and sales capabilities to accelerate product development and market adoption.
KEY QUOTES:
“We’re really excited about this investment, and super thankful for the confidence LOVC and the other investors have placed in our vision. Global trade is in huge flux, and we want to provide useful, efficient automation tools to the industry that build on the advancements in AI as well.”
Thariq Kara, CEO, BITE Data
“We’re thrilled to back BITE as they modernize a critical often-overlooked function in global trade. Thariq and Anne bring unmatched regulatory and technical expertise, and their AI-driven platform is transforming how companies manage compliance risk and cross-border operations. BITE’s technology brings speed, accuracy and accountability to an area that has long relied on manual processes, and we’re excited to support them as they scale their impact across industries.”
Dean Hatton, Las Olas Venture Capital
