Procense, a startup focused on industrial automation, has secured $1.5 million in seed funding led by Kevin Mahaffey and supported by HighSage Ventures. This investment will fuel the expansion of its AI-native manufacturing platform, enabling the company to grow its team and accelerate development of intelligent automation tools.
Manufacturers today contend with labor shortages, rising costs, and strict regulations, yet many still rely on paper forms and manual data entry. Procense replaces these outdated workflows with wireless IoT sensors that continuously capture production and quality metrics. That real-time data feeds into AI-powered agents, which interpret each facility’s unique processes and transform raw readings into actionable insights.
At the center of the platform are large language model–driven tools that digitize paper processes in minutes and configure workflows automatically. Once deployed, software agents monitor operations, detect anomalies, and suggest corrective actions without human intervention. This reduces onboarding time, lowers compute and labor expenses, and drives continuous performance improvements on the factory floor.
Early adopters are already seeing significant impact. Dr Squatch, a personal care manufacturer, implemented Procense’s sensors and AI agents across its production lines. The result was a ten percent reduction in batch cycle times, fewer manual errors, and streamlined compliance documentation—allowing the team to scale output without added stress or paperwork.
Procense targets process industries ranging from personal care and specialty chemicals to food and pharmaceuticals. Its vertically integrated solution delivers end-to-end visibility, from shop-floor data collection to executive dashboards, laying the groundwork for future AI-driven optimization and predictive maintenance.
How the funding will be used: With this new funding, Procense will deepen its AI expertise, expand its engineering and product teams, and forge additional partnerships with leading manufacturers. The company aims to become the go-to platform for AI-powered process automation, helping producers boost yields, improve quality, and navigate the next wave of digital transformation.
KEY QUOTES:
“To compete in today’s business environment, it’s obvious that top manufacturers will need Procense’s technology in order to meet the changing regulatory landscape, digitize operational data, and prepare for the next generation of AI-optimized industrial automation. I am excited to help accelerate the Procense business so they can continue on their aggressive growth trajectory and bring innovative AI solutions to even more manufacturers across market segments.”
Kevin Mahaffey
“Since our launch, Procense has been dedicated to helping its customers modernize their production and quality data management, but today’s changing business environment has made our mission to deliver real-time visibility, automation, and predictive insights more important than ever before. The Procense team is thrilled to have the support of proven investors Kevin Mahaffey and HighSage Ventures. Their track record of identifying and funding successful start-ups represents a meaningful vote of confidence for our industrial automation platform.”
Nirat Keswani, CEO and Co-Founder of Procense
“We’re completing batches faster with less paperwork and fewer mistakes. We’re saving time and gaining confidence. It’s helping us grow production without adding more stress or paperwork.”
Dr. Squatch Lead Operator Leticia Rodriguez
