Seattle computer vision startup led by former HoloLens scientist lands $3.4M

The news: Retrocausal raised $3.4 million to advance its AI-powered platform to help manufacturers train employees and avoid mistakes. The founders: CEO Zeeshan Zia was previously a deep learning and computer vision scientist at Microsoft, where he worked on HoloLens, the company’s mixed reality smart glasses. The traction: The company has about 25 customers and has recently partnered with the Honda Xcelerator program on a project to improve manufacturing quality and with Siemens Digital Industries Software. Retrocausal also recently completed a pilot project with NASA through its Small Business Technology Transfer Program to build a system that could work as an “extra pair of eyes” to assist with medical procedures or other operations. The workers: Monitoring and digitizing the workplace may sound like it could affect employee mental health, but Zia said that the platform instead enables people to take on more diverse, interesting work by improving feedback and training.