Mafer AI: Revolutionizing R&D in Formulation Industries
In a significant stride for innovation in the formulation industries, Mafer AI, a Barcelona-based startup, has recently secured €2 million in a pre-Seed funding round. This funding was backed by notable investors including Kfund, 4Founders Capital, Masia, and Lavanda Ventures, the investment arm of the Puig family. The startup has also attracted attention from prominent business angels such as Adrián Mato, Manuel Roca, Dídac Lee, and Fernando Castiñeiras, among others, who bring a wealth of experience from leading tech and investment firms.
The Vision Behind Mafer AI
Founded in late 2025 by Fernando Oliver Jané (CEO) and Marc Montalbo Burges (CTO), Mafer AI is on a mission to transform how R&D teams in formulation industries operate. According to Jané, “Formulation industries have spent decades accumulating a silent asset, their technical R&D history, without having any way to exploit it at scale.” This silent asset, he argues, can now be harnessed through advanced AI technologies, enabling companies to bring products to market at an unprecedented pace.
Addressing Industry Bottlenecks
Mafer AI is targeting a critical bottleneck that has long plagued formulation-based industries, which span sectors such as specialty chemicals, food and beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. These industries have accumulated vast amounts of technical know-how over the years, yet this knowledge often remains fragmented across various platforms—laboratory instruments, spreadsheets, and the minds of senior experts.
This fragmentation leads to innovation cycles that are five to ten times slower than the competitive market pace, resulting in delayed product launches and shrinking profit margins. Furthermore, the retirement or departure of senior experts can result in the loss of up to two years of institutional knowledge, exacerbating the challenges faced by these companies.
Introducing MaferOS
At the heart of Mafer AI’s offering is MaferOS, an AI-native operating system designed specifically for R&D teams in formulation industries. This platform combines artificial intelligence models with a proprietary architecture tailored to each client, allowing for the training of unique models based on historical data while ensuring data protection.
MaferOS is structured into specialized modules that automate technical decisions currently handled manually. This includes everything from laboratory analysis and data structuring to regulatory compliance and formula recommendations. The startup’s approach is not merely about applying AI to chemistry; it’s about introducing a full-stack enterprise software model that has already reshaped other industries.
A Unique Approach to AI in Chemistry
What sets Mafer AI apart is its commitment to creating proprietary models tailored to each customer. This involves deploying AI agents that orchestrate complex technical decisions and automatically structure fragmented R&D histories. The platform also facilitates regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions, enabling companies to streamline their processes significantly.
Mafer AI’s operating model is reminiscent of successful companies like Palantir, which have popularized the use of embedded engineering teams to accelerate product development. By embedding Forward Deployed Engineers within client organizations, Mafer AI aims to bring products into production within weeks, a game-changer for the industry.
Early Success and Future Plans
Just six months post-launch, Mafer AI has already secured close to €300k in committed Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) and is targeting €1 million ARR by the end of 2026. The company currently boasts three production clients in the fragrance and flavors sector, having structured over 50,000 technical documents. Additionally, Mafer AI has an active enterprise pipeline across six industry verticals, with proof-of-concept projects underway in four of them.
The startup has also been selected by the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre for its AI Factory program, gaining access to over 50,000 GPU hours on NVIDIA H100 infrastructure and the MareNostrum V supercomputer. This partnership will further enhance Mafer AI’s capabilities in developing proprietary foundational models.
Strategic Use of Funding
The recent funding will be pivotal for Mafer AI as it plans to expand its technical team, hiring additional founding engineers and bolstering both Forward Deployed Engineering and research functions. Currently, the team consists of eight members, including the co-founders, with plans to grow to twelve by the second quarter of 2026.
Moreover, the capital will be utilized to deepen relationships with existing customers, turning them into flagship public references, while also expanding new modules on the deployed platform. The company is committed to advancing its roadmap toward proprietary foundational models trained at the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre, ensuring it remains at the forefront of technological innovation in the formulation industries.
Conclusion
Mafer AI is poised to redefine the landscape of R&D in formulation industries, leveraging AI to unlock the potential of decades of accumulated knowledge. With a strong team, strategic partnerships, and a clear vision, the startup is set to make waves in sectors that have long been constrained by outdated practices and fragmented information.
