Biplab Das 
Japanese automaker Mazda strengthens ties with Secondmind, participating in a new USD 16 million funding round to drive AI innovations in automotive engineering.
Extended strategic partnership
Mazda has announced the expansion of its strategic partnership with Secondmind, a collaboration that focuses on AI-fuelled innovations to tackle the increasing complexity in automotive design and development. The extended partnership prioritises research and development (R&D) and the commercial deployment of solutions supporting systems engineering and validation processes. The goal is to enhance virtualisation in design and development, aiming for increased time and cost efficiencies, particularly in areas with high complexity barriers.
As part of this extended relationship, Mazda joined a new USD 16 million funding round in Secondmind, demonstrating strong support for the company’s leadership, Active Learning technology, product differentiation, and its potential within the automotive sector. Existing investors, including Amadeus Capital Partners, Atlantic Bridge Ventures, and Cambridge Innovation Capital, also participated in the funding round.
Funding for business scaling
The new funding, which includes the conversion of a Future Fund note, will empower Secondmind to scale key aspects of its business. This includes boosting sales and marketing efforts and accelerating the development of the Secondmind Optimization Engine, recognised for its cloud-native design and award-winning capabilities.
Strategic importance of partnership
This strategic partnership extension builds on more than three years of collaboration, with a specific focus on supporting Mazda’s advanced AI research and education strategy. Secondmind is poised to guide the Cambridge AI ecosystem, contributing advanced AI solutions to automotive engineering, marking a significant component of the partnership.
Gary Brotman, CEO at Secondmind, expressed pride in the strengthened partnership, highlighting the shared goal of enabling continuous optimisation of vehicle design and performance. He emphasised Secondmind’s commitment to supporting Mazda in pioneering new avenues for AI innovation in automotive engineering.
Naohito Saga, Executive Officer at Mazda, highlighted the need for the automotive industry to accelerate development speed and efficiency in response to market needs and technological advancements. Mazda looks forward to the partnership contributing innovative technology and out-of-the-box thinking to its vehicle manufacturing.
Mazda’s extended partnership with Secondmind, coupled with its participation in the funding round, underscores the importance of AI-driven innovations in addressing the evolving challenges in automotive engineering. The collaboration aims to bring about enhanced efficiencies and advancements in the development and design of vehicles, aligning with the industry’s move towards a more software-defined future.
