Reshape Systems raises funds to scale its AI-driven risk analysis platform

CERN spin-off Reshape Systems has secured CHF 800,000 in pre-seed funding to accelerate the development of its AI-powered risk analysis tools for complex industrial systems.

Vaud-based start-up Reshape Systems SA, a spin-off from CERN, has raised CHF 800,000 in a pre-seed funding round to expand its AI-powered platform for risk analysis in complex industrial environments. The round was led by Backbone Ventures, with participation from Heartfelt, GF BRYCK Ventures, N&V Capital, and Kyle Kosic (co-founder of xAI, now at OpenAI).

Founded by CERN alumni Dr. Andrea Apollonio (CEO) and Dr. Thomas Cartier-Michaud (CTO), Reshape addresses a growing need among companies developing complex products under tight timelines and volatile conditions. Its software uses explainable, user-supervised AI to support safety certification, streamline engineering workflows, and enhance knowledge retention, which are all critical factors in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, nuclear energy, and advanced manufacturing.

Launched in April 2025, the company’s minimum viable product (MVP) has already been deployed in a successful pilot project with CERN, applying AI to fire safety engineering for large-scale infrastructure. The collaboration resulted in a joint publication at Interflam 2025 and helped validate the use of autonomous AI models in real-world certification scenarios. Reshape is currently running several paid pilot programs with industry partners and certification bodies.

“This investment marks a pivotal point in our development,” said Dr. Apollonio, who previously led risk analysis projects at CERN. “We will use the funding to grow our team and accelerate product development.” Cartier-Michaud added: “Trust and transparency are key in safety-critical applications. Our approach focuses on explainable AI to help engineers make better, faster decisions.”

The funding comes on the heels of growing momentum for the start-up. Reshape recently won the Grand Prize at the Tech4Trust 2025 Awards, graduated from the Swiss Microsoft AI Accelerator, and became the first participant in the CERN Venture Connect program, a new initiative to support deep-tech ventures across CERN member states. Reshape Systems currently employs five people and is based in the canton of Vaud.