From Sleeping in a Truck on an Oil Rig to Building AI for Heavy Industries: Bolo AI Secures $8.1 Million Seed Round
Bolo AI, an enterprise artificial intelligence company focused on empowering workers in heavy industries, has announced the close of an $8.1 million Seed funding round led by True Ventures. The round also saw participation from Benchstrength, Accomplice, J Ventures, and Beat Ventures. This infusion of capital will enable Bolo AI to further develop its groundbreaking AI system designed to support some of the world’s most demanding jobs—those found in heavy industries.
Heavy industries, a $20 trillion sector, have long been underserved by modern software solutions. Bolo AI is changing that narrative by creating intelligent tools tailored to the unique needs of these industries. Its AI system unlocks critical knowledge buried within outdated procedures, documents, and legacy systems, enabling teams to act quickly, safely, and with confidence. By streamlining operations, reducing downtime, improving safety margins, and enhancing decision-making across the industrial value chain, Bolo AI is poised to revolutionize how heavy industries operate.
The company was co-founded by Diti Sood and Dr. Lalit Jain, whose combined expertise reflects both deep industry experience and advanced technical innovation. Sood’s journey to founding Bolo AI is nothing short of remarkable and underscores her unwavering commitment to transforming the sector she knows so well.
A Gritty Foundation: Lessons Learned on the Frontlines
Sood began her career as a field engineer with SLB (formerly Schlumberger), the world’s largest oilfield services company. Over five years, she worked on oil and gas sites across the UAE and Qatar, often under extreme conditions. As the first woman in her district to take on rig and offshore roles, she faced significant challenges—including limited accommodations. At times, she slept in her truck between shifts while managing high-stakes responsibilities such as handling radioactive tools, explosives, and enduring 24-hour shifts in temperatures exceeding 120°F.
“I’ve handled radioactive tools and explosives, worked 24-hour shifts and longer in 120°F heat, and relied on outdated manuals and siloed systems to make critical decisions,” said Sood, CEO and co-founder of Bolo AI. “That gave me deep respect for the people doing this work—and a front-row seat to envisioning tools and products to enable them to make the best decisions every single time, no matter the challenges facing them.”
These firsthand experiences shaped Sood’s vision for Bolo AI. She recognized the need for smarter, faster, and more reliable tools to assist technical and frontline teams in their daily workflows. Whether it’s operations, maintenance, engineering, safety, or project management, Bolo AI brings AI into the flow of work, empowering teams to make quicker, more confident decisions.
After earning her MBA from Harvard Business School, Sood led go-to-market strategies for enterprise AI products, gaining valuable insights into scaling innovative technologies. Her co-founder, Dr. Lalit Jain, brings over 15 years of experience in building applied AI systems across diverse fields like cybersecurity, finance, and automation. Together, they form a powerhouse team capable of addressing the complex challenges of heavy industries.
Transforming Heavy Industries Through AI
Helen Min, venture partner at True Ventures, praised the founding team’s vision and capabilities. “Diti and Lalit are building the infrastructure to make critical operations in heavy industries more intelligent and efficient with AI,” said Min. “The founding team has the unique talent, technical ability, and required customer empathy to transform an industry previously very underserved by technology.”
Bolo AI is already making strides with early partnerships that include a Fortune 500 industrial firm and the largest oil refinery in the U.S. These organizations are collaborating with Bolo AI on strategic pilot programs and proof-of-concept initiatives, demonstrating the platform’s potential to drive meaningful impact.
With the new Seed funding, Bolo AI plans to expand its engineering and go-to-market teams, deepen integrations with existing enterprise systems, and accelerate deployments across key sectors such as energy, utilities, and industrial operations. This expansion will allow the company to scale its solution rapidly and meet the growing demand for AI-driven tools in heavy industries.
Bridging the Gap Between Legacy Systems and Modern Innovation
One of the biggest hurdles in heavy industries is the reliance on outdated systems and fragmented data sources. Workers often spend hours sifting through manuals, spreadsheets, and disconnected databases to find answers during critical moments. Bolo AI addresses this pain point by consolidating information and delivering actionable insights in real-time. Its AI-powered platform ensures that teams can access accurate, up-to-date guidance without wasting precious time or risking errors.
For example, when responding to equipment failures or safety incidents, technicians using Bolo AI can receive step-by-step instructions tailored to the specific situation. This not only reduces response times but also minimizes risks associated with human error—a crucial factor in environments where mistakes can have catastrophic consequences.
Moreover, Bolo AI’s system is designed to learn and adapt over time. By continuously analyzing operational data and user interactions, it becomes increasingly adept at predicting issues before they arise and recommending proactive measures to mitigate them. This predictive capability helps companies avoid costly downtime and maintain optimal performance levels.
Empowering Workers, Driving Progress
At its core, Bolo AI is about empowering the individuals who keep heavy industries running. From engineers troubleshooting complex machinery to operators managing day-to-day tasks, the platform equips workers with the tools they need to excel in their roles. By combining cutting-edge AI with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by these professionals, Bolo AI is setting a new standard for innovation in heavy industries.
As Sood puts it, “Our mission is to ensure that no worker ever has to rely on outdated resources or guesswork to get the job done. With Bolo AI, we’re bringing the power of modern technology to the people who power our world.”
About Bolo AI
Bolo AI is the daily AI system of action for the people who operate the world’s infrastructure — in the field, plant, or office. By unlocking knowledge buried across documents, procedures, and legacy systems, Bolo helps industrial teams act quickly, work safely, and drive better outcomes. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, with an engineering hub in Bangalore, India.
