Spot AI Unlocks Enterprise Video’s Untapped Potential

For years, businesses everywhere found themselves recording vast amounts of video footage, only to leave it untouched in servers and drives. Surveillance cameras had long served as a silent witness, observing everything but offering little in terms of insight beyond basic security. Rish Gupta, Sud Bhatija, and Tanuj Thapliyal saw this differently—they envisioned a world where video could serve as a catalyst for proactive insights, operational efficiency, and workplace safety. In 2021, with this vision in mind, they launched Spot AI, a company with a mission to transform the way businesses leverage video data, reshaping it from a security tool to an essential part of everyday operations.

The team began by creating a straightforward yet powerful solution: a platform that could turn any existing IP camera into a robust data source. Spot AI’s system didn’t require specialized cameras, proprietary hardware, or complex installations. Instead, it worked seamlessly with clients’ existing infrastructure, creating a plug-and-play experience that dramatically lowered barriers to entry. With Spot AI’s processing box installed, companies could effortlessly manage their video feeds through a cloud-based platform that offered a new level of accessibility. For businesses long frustrated by the limited utility of traditional surveillance, this represented a game-changer.

Spot AI’s early adopters quickly saw the benefits, and soon, investors took notice. In their first major funding round, Spot AI raised $22 million in Series A funding, led by Redpoint Ventures. This capital infusion allowed them to scale operations, refine their platform, and serve a growing customer base. Businesses across manufacturing, retail, education, and other sectors began implementing Spot AI’s solutions, using them to streamline workflows, optimize operations, and, importantly, boost safety. As Spot AI’s impact grew, companies began to see video as more than just a security tool; it became a critical component of their operational intelligence.

Among these early adopters was Elite Comfort Solutions, an industry leader in automotive and home comfort. Cornel Stewart, an engineer at Elite Comfort, shared the profound effect Spot AI’s system had on their operations: “Not only have we seen a reduction in injuries and incidents, but the system’s ability to identify potential hazards has allowed us to address issues before they escalate.” For Elite Comfort Solutions, Spot AI’s platform didn’t just deliver video insights; it offered peace of mind and a proactive approach to employee safety that transformed their day-to-day operations.

By late 2022, with demand continuing to climb, Spot AI secured a $40 million Series B funding round led by Scale Venture Partners, bringing its total funding to $62 million. This support allowed the company to further its vision and expand its reach to clients in 17 different sectors, from education to automotive to retail. As Spot AI scaled up, their platform continued to prove its versatility and impact, cementing their role as a trusted video intelligence partner for companies across diverse industries.

As the company evolved, so did its product offerings. Spot AI’s next big leap was the introduction of Video AI Agents—a feature that took video monitoring from a passive activity to a proactive one. Unlike traditional systems that required constant human monitoring, Video AI Agents were built to recognize and act on situations in real-time, effectively turning cameras into vigilant assistants. In industrial settings, Video AI Agents could detect when a worker was dangerously close to heavy machinery and instantly alert them to step back, preventing potential injuries. In retail, the system could identify when a customer was waiting without assistance and notify nearby staff to step in. With Video AI Agents, Spot AI transformed surveillance from a mere observational tool into an active contributor to safety and service excellence.

This breakthrough was backed by another impressive funding round in 2024, where Spot AI raised $31 million, led by Qualcomm Ventures, bringing their total funding to $93 million. Qualcomm Ventures, known for its investments in AI at the edge, saw in Spot AI a perfect partner for advancing real-time intelligence. Tushar Gupta, representing Qualcomm Ventures, highlighted the game-changing nature of Spot AI’s platform: “Spot AI’s solutions help businesses quickly generate insights from customers’ video feeds, turning them into a valuable resource that improves safety, security, and day-to-day operations.” Qualcomm’s investment symbolized a new level of support and validation for Spot AI’s vision, with Qualcomm’s extensive resources bolstering Spot AI’s ability to bring real-time video insights to the edge.

The power of Spot AI’s technology lies not only in its sophisticated AI capabilities but also in its simplicity. Spot AI’s platform integrates effortlessly with existing IP cameras, meaning companies don’t need to overhaul their entire video infrastructure to benefit from the technology. This flexibility is especially critical for businesses in sectors like manufacturing, retail, and education, where replacing infrastructure could be prohibitively expensive. With Spot AI’s processing box managing data on-site, video analysis is quick and efficient, sending only essential information to the cloud and maintaining data security.

As of 2024, Spot AI has become a trusted partner to over 1,000 clients, processing an enormous volume of video data daily—amounts that rival even YouTube’s daily uploads. Across industries, companies leverage Spot AI’s platform to gain valuable insights. In automotive manufacturing, for instance, the system monitors assembly lines to ensure product quality and worker safety. In schools, administrators use Spot AI’s video capabilities to monitor student safety, identifying potential incidents in real-time and responding immediately. For retail, the technology has become an essential tool for reducing shrinkage and enhancing customer experience by addressing service gaps proactively.

They have also launched the First Video AI Agents, transforming video surveillance from passive observation to active incident resolution across industries like manufacturing, retail, and education. These AI agents autonomously identify and respond to issues in real time, improving safety, security, and operational efficiency. For instance, they can trigger alerts, issue safety commands, and provide actionable insights to prevent incidents. This innovation comes alongside a $31 million funding round, with new backing from Qualcomm Ventures, pushing Spot AI’s total funding to $93 million and enabling further advancements in bringing agentic AI to physical spaces.

Video AI Agents represent a significant evolution beyond traditional surveillance by empowering cameras to act as proactive “team members.” Instead of merely recording, they use advanced AI to analyze live activities and initiate actions, from activating safety protocols to enhancing customer service in retail. Spot AI’s open system allows integration with existing camera setups, positioning it as a flexible intelligence layer for any video system. CEO Rish Gupta describes the technology as a step toward making high-quality video data accessible and actionable, helping businesses turn video feeds into essential tools for safety, productivity, and operational improvement.

Rish Gupta, CEO of Spot AI, encapsulated the company’s vision succinctly: “We’re moving AI from the screen to the physical spaces where we live and work.” This ethos drives Spot AI’s work and reflects a broader shift toward creating environments that are not just monitored but actively intelligent—spaces that understand and respond to human needs and behaviors. Spot AI’s innovative approach has shown the business world that video can be much more than a security measure; it can be a powerful ally in improving safety, efficiency, and even customer satisfaction.

Reflecting on their journey, Gupta and his co-founders take pride in how far Spot AI has come—from a small startup to a transformative force in video intelligence. By making video data accessible and actionable, Spot AI has not only empowered businesses to make smarter decisions but has also laid the groundwork for a future where video technology plays an active, proactive role in our workplaces and communities.

The impact of Spot AI is felt in every sector it touches, helping businesses become safer, more efficient, and more responsive. Spot AI continues to grow, its mission remains constant: to redefine the role of video from passive observer to active participant in the spaces we occupy.