Avendar’s Innovative Approach to Public Sector Investigations
Avendar, a Dutch startup specializing in AI software for public-sector investigations, has raised €2.2 million in seed funding. This funding round, led by LUMO Labs and supported by the Brabant Development Agency, aims to enhance Avendar’s platform and facilitate its expansion into new European markets.
Addressing Critical Needs in Public Institutions
Founded in 2025 by Hugo Sleegers, Tijs Bronnenberg, and Marijn van Aerle, Avendar addresses the growing challenges faced by public institutions. As these organizations grapple with increasingly complex fraud and crime cases, many still depend on outdated, manual investigative processes. The demand for AI tools that ensure data security and regulatory compliance has never been higher.
“Europe needs its own sovereign infrastructure for critical investigation and intelligence,” said van Aerle, emphasizing the urgency of overcoming reliance on outdated software.
Transforming Data into Actionable Intelligence
Avendar’s technology enables organizations to convert fragmented datasets into actionable intelligence. This capability allows investigators to detect patterns and uncover signals efficiently, significantly improving the speed and quality of investigations. Currently, their platform is utilized by the Dutch National Police and the Municipality of Amsterdam, following successful pilot programs linked to the Ministry of Justice and Safety.
According to Andy Lurling, founding partner at LUMO Labs, “With strong execution in complex public sector environments, Avendar is well positioned to reshape investigations across Europe.”
Future Plans and Market Competition
As competition in the investigative intelligence market heats up, with companies like Palantir Technologies and Recorded Future also vying for a stake, Avendar aims to set itself apart by providing a sovereign European alternative tailored for public-sector needs. The funding will support the expansion of their engineering and product teams, enhancing the platform’s scalability and analytical capabilities.
Avendar’s mission is clear: to assist governments and public institutions in responding more effectively to complex security and fraud threats, thereby contributing to a safer society.
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