Graph Data Analytics and Visualization startup GraphPolaris Secures Investment from ROM Utrecht Region

GraphPolaris, a spin-off from Utrecht University, aims to connect the dots in complex and siloed datasets to deliver actionable insights through powerful visualizations and next-best-action recommendations. Its goal is to enable scalable data-driven decision-making by making data science accessible to everyone, without requiring programming skills.

GraphPolaris

GraphPolaris was founded by leading academics in the field of graph data from Utrecht University, Tufts University (US), and TU Eindhoven. The idea originated with Dr. Michael Behrisch and Professor Remco Chang, who sought to make graph data accessible to a broad audience. Their vision gained momentum through the TTT AI program and support from the NWO Demonstrator and Take-Off grants, which helped prepare the company for Seed Stage investments. In early 2024, Mike Schavemaker joined as CEO to strengthen the team, followed by the company’s incorporation in March. In just seven months, GraphPolaris has secured its first paying customer in the Intelligence segment, followed with two launching enterprise customers in the Asset Performance Management segment (https://graphpolaris.com/solutions).

Graph data analytics

Graph data analytics and visualization remain challenging for many companies due to the complexity of the data, a lack of specialized knowledge, and the technical limitations of traditional tools. Additionally, datasets are often fragmented across silos, and organizations lack insight into the value of graph-based insights, such as relationship and network analysis. GraphPolaris addresses these challenges with a no-code platform that offers powerful visualizations, AI-driven recommendations, and broad accessibility. This allows both experts and non-technical users to easily analyze and visualize complex data, uncover hidden patterns, and make data-driven decisions. By doing so, GraphPolaris democratizes data science, enabling businesses to make faster and more effective decisions based on connected data.

Michael Behrisch (Founder/CTO) and Remco Chang (Founder/advisor): “Knowledge graphs are the motor of societally impactful innovations. However, knowledge graphs analysis has tremendous entry barriers rendering these invaluable data sources to opaque and inaccessible knowledge silos. GraphPolaris will open up these knowledge graph black boxes, making them easily accessible for a broad range of users: social scientists, government employees, and, in the end, the citizens.”

About the Investment

The investment from LUMO Labs and ROM Utrecht Region marks an important step for GraphPolaris for enabling the company to enhance its platform, strengthen its team with additional development expertise, and further validate its product with customers.

CEO – Mike Schavemaker: “We are excited to have ROM Utrecht Region onboard as our second investor and strategic partner. Their strong national network, coupled with their deep expertise in the digital and health sectors, makes them an ideal partner to help scale our impact and drive forward our vision. This partnership will leverage ROM Utrecht Regions extensive network and resources to foster new opportunities in ecosystem-driven innovation, expanding GraphPolaris’s ability to connect the dots and deliver transformative solutions for organizations across various industries.”

Partner LUMO Labs – Thomas Hannes: “We are impressed with the founders and their ambition to use their product to accelerate innovation in sectors like healthcare and critical infrastructure. The TTT.ai fund enabled us to fund this spin-out, so the technology can be applied at mass and impact is maximized”.

Director ROM Utrecht Region – Arjan van den Born: “GraphPolaris doesn’t just analyze data; it uncovers stories that can drive real change. By empowering organizations to transform complex data into clear, actionable insights, GraphPolaris supports smarter decision-making in sectors such as healthcare, education, and sustainability. Investing in GraphPolaris means investing in a vision where technology builds bridges and creates solutions for a better world.”

The ROM as an investor

ROM Utrecht Region is a social investor that increases access to capital for innovative companies in the region. ROM invests in key transition sectors that are crucial for the economy of the future: digitalization, health, and sustainability. To realize financing for these companies, ROM collaborates with many partners within and outside the region. ROM manages two funds: the Startup Innovation Fund and the Participation Fund. The Startup Innovation Fund is co-financed by the Province of Utrecht and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The investment in GraphPolaris is made through the Startup Innovation Fund.