Vantora, formerly known as UP.Labs, has raised $100 million from Silversmith Capital Partners in its first outside funding round since launching in 2022. The company builds standalone AI ventures around operational problems at corporate partners, which invest in the startups, become their first customers and can ultimately fold them into their core businesses. The model is increasingly focused on physical AI projects involving robotics, autonomous systems and industrial automation that companies want to keep proprietary. Founder and CEO John Kuolt said the approach creates a proprietary M&A pipeline and allows Vantora to pursue projects previously rejected because they were too sensitive to commercialize externally. Vantora has launched 17 ventures and reported 79% year-over-year revenue growth, with a target of reaching 20 by the end of 2026. Its partners include Porsche AG, Alaska Airlines, J.B. Hunt, Wabash and TDG, the parent company of Ashley Furniture, as well as unnamed customers in industrial manufacturing and oil and gas. The funding will support expansion across industries, development of Vantora’s proprietary data ontology product and hiring in AI engineering and commercial roles. Vantora remains independent from Up.Partners despite sharing office space with the venture firm.