Report: Nous Research raises/talks $75M Series B at ~$1.5B
Open-source AI agent startup Nous Research (Hermes) raised at least $75M led by Robot Ventures with Union Square Ventures at ~$1.5B valuation, ~3 months after a $50M Paradigm-led Series A.
What is known
This is a sourced report, not a confirmed announcement. The claim circulating in the July 2026 AI news cycle is that open-source AI agent startup Nous Research (Hermes) raised at least $75M led by Robot Ventures with Union Square Ventures at ~$1.5B valuation, ~3 months after a $50M Paradigm-led Series A.
Context
Open-source AI agent startup Nous Research (Hermes) raised at least $75M led by Robot Ventures with Union Square Ventures at ~$1.5B valuation, ~3 months after a $50M Paradigm-led Series A. Sources differ on closed-vs-talks (Dealroom says "raised"; MLQ/TechCrunch-sourced reports say "in talks"). Open-source agent infrastructure re-rating alongside Neo/Valarian. Deal (reported).
What changed
Open-source AI agent startup Nous Research (Hermes) raised at least $75M led by Robot Ventures with Union Square Ventures at ~$1.5B valuation, ~3 months after a $50M Paradigm-led Series A. According to mlq.ai (citing people familiar); Dealroom note, the supporting record states: “Nous Research is raising at least $75 million at approximately $1.5 billion valuation, led by Robot Ventures with Union Square Ventures participating… 50% step-up from its reported $1 billion valuation during the Series A less than three months ago." (MLQ)”.
Why it matters
Sources differ on closed-vs-talks (Dealroom says "raised"; MLQ/TechCrunch-sourced reports say "in talks"). Open-source agent infrastructure re-rating alongside Neo/Valarian. Deal (reported). The deal matters because it shows where investors and strategic buyers see durable AI demand, and because the terms provide a market signal that product announcements alone do not.
Deal box
- Development: Nous Research raises/talks $75M Series B at ~$1.5B
- Reported date: 2026-07-13
- Research confidence: medium
- Primary source: mlq.ai (citing people familiar); Dealroom note
What is claimed
Open-source AI agent startup Nous Research (Hermes) raised at least $75M led by Robot Ventures with Union Square Ventures at ~$1.5B valuation, ~3 months after a $50M Paradigm-led Series A.
What would confirm it
A company statement, filing, regulator record, or named-party confirmation would move this item out of rumor status. Until then, the claim remains attributed and should not be treated as settled fact.
Next checkpoint
Monitor the source organization and any counterparties for confirmation, denial, or documentation.
Details
The research file records the item under “Nous Research raises/talks $75M Series B at ~$1.5B” with source timing of July 13–14, 2026. The captured research confidence note is: Medium-High. Sources differ on closed-vs-talks (Dealroom says "raised"; MLQ/TechCrunch-sourced reports say "in talks"). Open-source agent infrastructure re-rating alongside Neo/Valarian. Deal (reported).
Limitations and caveats
This item is based on a single authoritative source or a company-attributed claim captured in the research file; independent corroboration was not established in the research window. This is a report or unconfirmed market signal, not a confirmed company announcement. It should be read as an evidence-labeled rumor until the parties or documents confirm it.
Sources
Update note: Last reviewed 2026-07-22. Next checkpoint: monitor official channels and the linked source record.
Sources
- mlq.ai (citing people familiar); Dealroom note — aggregator
Drafted with AI assistance from source briefs; reviewed for citation completeness and label accuracy.