Minicor, an artificial intelligence startup co-founded by Nigerian software engineer Saheed Akinbile, has raised $3.8 million in seed funding to help businesses integrate AI-powered applications with legacy software systems.
The San Francisco-based company announced the funding on October 14, with the development reported by technology and startup publications on October 15.
The investment round was led by IA Ventures, with participation from Y Combinator, Paul Graham, Pioneer Fund, Robinhood Ventures, Garage Capital, Rebel Fund, K5 Global and 20VC.
Minicor is developing automation infrastructure that enables AI applications to interact with older desktop software that lacks modern application programming interfaces, commonly known as APIs.
Many established businesses continue to rely on software systems that were developed years ago and remain central to their daily operations. Replacing these systems can be expensive, disruptive and technically complicated.
Minicor’s approach is designed to provide an alternative by allowing AI applications to execute workflows through existing software interfaces, reducing the need for companies to build custom integrations from scratch.
The technology could be relevant to sectors such as healthcare, financial services, logistics and other industries where organisations depend on established desktop applications to manage records and operational processes.
For businesses, the ability to introduce AI without replacing existing software could reduce the complexity of digital transformation. It may also allow companies to automate repetitive administrative tasks while retaining systems that employees already understand.
However, reliable automation remains a significant technical challenge. AI-powered systems must handle software changes, unexpected errors, access permissions and sensitive information without compromising business operations.
The commercial value of Minicor’s technology will therefore depend on its reliability, security and ability to work across different applications at scale.
The new funding gives the startup additional resources to develop its platform and serve businesses seeking to connect AI tools with established operational systems. The company has not publicly disclosed a detailed breakdown of how the funds will be allocated.
Akinbile’s involvement also highlights the contribution of Nigerian-founded entrepreneurs to the global AI industry. Although Minicor is headquartered in the United States, its emergence demonstrates how founders with Nigerian roots can participate in building enterprise technology for international markets.
The funding comes as businesses increasingly explore ways to move beyond AI experimentation and incorporate automation into everyday operations.
For Nigeria’s technology ecosystem, the development offers a reminder that opportunities in artificial intelligence extend beyond consumer chatbots to the underlying infrastructure that enables companies to deploy AI securely and efficiently.
