Cogna

At Cogna, we envision a future where artificial intelligence is intricately woven into the fabric of the real economy, driving efficiency and innovation in industries that keep the world moving — utilities, manufacturing, logistics, and infrastructure.

Our mission is to transform these complex, mission-critical industries by delivering hyper-customized AI applications that address their unique operational challenges rapidly and reliably. Through our AI software factory, we strive to turn intricate operational processes into streamlined, integrated solutions that seamlessly fit within existing enterprise infrastructures.

With a foundation built on the expertise of industry pioneers and a commitment to tangible business outcomes, Cogna is pioneering a new era of AI that automates, integrates, and optimizes the backbone of our economy, ensuring operational continuity and enhanced productivity for the future.

We've been tracking Cogna since they burst onto the scene in 2023, and honestly, they've caught our attention in ways most AI startups haven't. While everyone else is chasing the next ChatGPT wrapper, these folks are getting their hands dirty with the unglamorous but essential work of fixing how utilities, manufacturers, and logistics companies actually operate day-to-day.

The Founder Factor

Ben Peters brings serious credibility to the table—co-founding Five AI (the self-driving car startup that Bosch acquired) isn't exactly beginner's luck. When you add Stan Boland and Hermann Hauser (yes, the Acorn Computers Hermann Hauser) to the mix, you've got a founding team that understands both cutting-edge AI and the brutal realities of deploying technology in mission-critical environments.

That experience shows. Instead of promising to revolutionize everything, they're laser-focused on solving the specific, messy problems that keep operations managers awake at night.

What Actually Sets Them Apart

Here's where Cogna gets interesting: they're not selling software, they're running what they call an "AI software factory." Clients describe their operational headaches, and Cogna's platform automatically generates custom applications that integrate with existing enterprise systems like SAP and Oracle.

The kicker? They only get paid once the solution is live and delivering measurable results. That's either supreme confidence or a really good way to go bankrupt quickly—and given their $20 million in funding, investors seem to believe it's the former.

The Real-World Test

We're particularly impressed by their focus on industries where failure isn't just expensive—it's catastrophic. When you're dealing with power grids, manufacturing lines, or supply chains, you can't afford to beta test your way to success. Cogna seems to understand this, building enterprise-grade security and reliability into everything from day one.

Their promise of weeks (not months) for deployment is bold, but if they can deliver on it consistently, they're solving one of the biggest pain points in enterprise AI adoption.

Who Should Pay Attention

If you're running operations at a large utility, manufacturer, or logistics company and you're tired of forcing square-peg software into round-hole problems, Cogna deserves a serious look. They're not trying to be everything to everyone—they're betting big on being exactly what complex, regulated industries need.

For the rest of us, Cogna represents something refreshing in the AI space: a company that's more interested in solving real problems than generating headlines. That might just be the smartest bet of all.