Computer vision and cybersecurity start-up TrustNXT, a spin-off of leading image processing specialist Basler AG, secures €1.6 million in pre-seed financing. The renowned early-stage funds D11Z.Ventures and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) are participating. The capital will be used to scale a DeepTech solution that reliably protects images and videos in security-critical B2B applications from AI-based manipulation and cyberattacks, a fast-growing market with enormous relevance for industry, insurers, and public safety.
Protecting Visual Data in B2B Processes:
TrustNXT is developing a software platform for comprehensive manipulation protection for visual data. It combines cryptography, computer vision, and patented trust technology to ensure the authenticity of image and video data. This prevents manipulation effectively and provides for reliability at every step. The solution guarantees the integrity of visual data in critical business processes.
Ariane Scheer-Danielsson, co-founder and managing director at TrustNXT: “In a world where AI can generate deceptively real images in seconds, trust and data integrity are crucial. Without them, companies face threats to their digital business models. Our mission is to secure this integrity for companies.”
Strong Market Response in the Insurance Sector:
TrustNXT’s insurance solution addresses manipulated damage photos and enables the complete automation of claims and underwriting processes – without any human review. Insurers can effectively prevent image fraud, shorten image processing times, and make their processes cost-efficient and scalable.
Patrick Schmitt, Principal at D11Z.Ventures: “We are excited about the cryptography technology used by TrustNXT. It generates a technically unique fingerprint of the sensor data at the point of origin of a medium. It is irrevocably linked to the medium – a physical, tamper-proof evidence. This prevents manipulation and proves the origin of digital content beyond doubt. In the current race between AI-manipulated media and AI that recognises such manipulation, TrustNXT renders this duel obsolete. TrustNXT’s technology will restore trust in digital media for the long term.”
Tizian Hoppen, Senior Investment Manager at HTGF: “Trust is the foundation of a functioning economy. Today, important decisions are based on digital media such as photos and videos. TrustNXT has impressed us with its digital trust technology, which is based on years of DeepTech research.
Future – Real-time Protection for Industrial Use Cases:
TrustNXT plans to use the capital to expand its technology, particularly for tamper-proof real-time protection of video data in industrial applications. TrustNXT plans to launch its first industrial pilot projects in 2026.
About TrustNXT:
TrustNXT, a corporate spin-off of computer vision expert Basler AG, was founded in Hamburg, Germany, in 2024. The founding team combines technical expertise in visual data processing with skills in technology, business, and marketing. The company develops solutions that secure digital business processes and create trust in complex environments. The company offers a specialised fraud prevention solution for the insurance sector. In the medium term, the company plans to tap into additional vertical markets.
About D11Z. Ventures:
D11Z. Ventures is a leading European Venture Capital family office based in Heilbronn and Munich, focused on pre-seed and seed-stage investments in software and DeepTech. With deep industry expertise, operational agility, and a clear founder-first focus, D11Z. Ventures empowers digital pioneers to transform industries. The firm targets key verticals, including Cybersecurity, AI Infrastructure, Energy, and Enterprise Software. D11Z. Ventures maintains strong ties to Germany’s hidden champions and global market leaders. Beyond capital, the firm provides pro bono cloud infrastructure, strategic guidance, and expert-led workshops to actively support the growth and success of its portfolio companies.
About HTGF – High-Tech Gründerfonds:
HTGF is one of the leading and most active early-stage investors in Germany and Europe, financing startups in the fields of DeepTech, IndustrialTech, ClimateTech, DigitalTech, Life Sciences, and Chemistry. With its experienced investment team, HTGF supports startups in all phases of their development into international market leaders. HTGF invests in pre-seed and seed phases and can participate significantly in later-stage financing rounds. Moreover, across its funds, HTGF has over 2 billion euros under management. Since its inception in 2005, HTGF has financed more than 770 startups and achieved almost 200 successful exits.
