Startup News: How Multiverse's Tiny AI Models Are Transforming the Industry in 2025
The world of artificial intelligence has long been dominated by enormous language models and resource-heavy systems. But in 2025, a buzzy AI startup, Multiverse, is rewriting the playbook. Their groundbreaking work introduces two ultra-compact, high-performing AI models named "SuperFly" and "ChickBrain," making waves across the tech world for their innovation in AI compression. This startup news shines a spotlight on how Multiverse leverages quantum-inspired algorithms to shrink AI models, creating significant benefits for cost, energy efficiency, and accessibility.
Here’s why this innovation matters, who stands to benefit, and actionable lessons for your own startup journey.
Why Multiverse’s AI Innovation Is Big News
For years, AI development has relied on massive language models requiring heavy computational power, significant energy consumption, and expensive hardware. Multiverse Computing, a Spain-based AI startup, has taken the opposite approach. By using a proprietary compression algorithm called CompactifAI, the company has achieved something once thought impossible: shrinking high-performing models to sizes small enough to run on common devices.
What Does This Mean?
Reduced Costs: Smaller models require less energy and cheaper hardware, slashing operational costs.
Increased Accessibility: Local devices like smartphones, embedded systems, and even Raspberry Pi boards can now run sophisticated AI models offline.
Enhanced Privacy: On-device AI eliminates the need to send sensitive data to the cloud, addressing growing privacy concerns.
Meet the Models Changing the Game
1. SuperFly
Size: 94 million parameters (compressed from Hugging Face’s SmolLM2-135 with 135 million parameters).
Nickname: Named after the size of a fly’s brain.
Use Case: Voice commands, small data processing tasks, IoT appliances.
Notable Feature: Can run entirely offline, even on low-cost microcontrollers.
Impact: Imagine running advanced voice assistant or IoT functionalities on a smartwatch without an internet connection. SuperFly enables that.
2. ChickBrain
Size: 3.2 billion parameters (compressed from Meta’s Llama 3.1 with 8 billion parameters).
Nickname: Inspired by the size of a chicken’s brain.
Use Case: Handles more complex reasoning and analytical tasks.
Notable Feature: Rivals the original model in performance while significantly reducing costs.
Impact: Early benchmarks show ChickBrain outperforms larger models in standardized assessments, proving that quantum-inspired compression doesn’t sacrifice performance for compactness.
Key Lessons for Startups
1. Think Small for Big Results
Multiverse’s success challenges the obsession with "bigger is better." By focusing on compactness and efficiency, you can open up opportunities in overlooked markets, such as IoT and edge computing.
2. Leverage Emerging Technologies
Multiverse’s use of quantum-inspired compression algorithms demonstrates how disruptive technologies can redefine what’s possible. Explore cutting-edge methods that traditional competitors may overlook.
3. Prioritize Sustainability
Smaller models consume less energy, aligning with global trends favoring eco-friendly innovation. For early-stage startups, integrating sustainability initiatives can attract investors and customers alike.
Tools & Resources for Entrepreneurs
Here are some actionable tools and platforms for startups inspired by Multiverse's journey:
Need help brainstorming your idea or validating your business model? PlayPal acts as your conversational AI co-founder, providing personalized advice and ideas.
Speed up your funding process and avoid rejection by using this grant finder specifically designed for European startups. Not only does it identify the best funding opportunities, but it also drafts application documents, saving you days of work.
This platform helps founders decode legal contracts (such as CLAs or term sheets) and even advises on tricky clauses. An invaluable resource for non-lawyers navigating investor negotiations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Chasing Overhyped Trends: Don’t get caught up in what's popular if it doesn’t align with your mission. Multiverse could have built another large language model, but they stood out by solving a very different problem.
Ignoring Scalability: While smaller models are efficient, always validate whether your solution scales across industries or regions. Multiverse validates their models with manufacturing giants like Bosch and Samsung.
Delaying Validation: Testing your innovation early on ensures that it solves real-world problems. Tools like the SANDBOX from Fe/male Switch let startups validate ideas systematically.
The Startup Revolution Continues
Industry insiders believe Multiverse’s work marks the dawn of a new era in AI. By making high-performing models smaller and more efficient, startups and enterprises alike can now integrate advanced AI capabilities into their workflows without breaking the bank.
Explore What Works for You
If you’re an entrepreneur wondering how to build your dream startup, look no further than these innovative platforms:
PlayPal: A free tool that acts as your AI friend and co-founder.
F/MS Grant Tools: Save days of work and find the perfect grant for your startup.
Innovating within schools of thought like Multiverse Computing could unlock incredible opportunities. The right platforms and lessons are already available, will you use them to launch the next big innovation?
FAQ
1. What makes Multiverse Computing's AI models unique?
Multiverse Computing has developed two ultra-compact, high-performing AI models, SuperFly and ChickBrain, that leverage quantum-inspired compression to drastically reduce model size without sacrificing performance. This innovation allows AI to run efficiently on local devices, including microcontrollers and smartphones. Learn more about Multiverse’s Tiny AI Models
2. What are the primary use cases for SuperFly?
SuperFly, with 94 million parameters, is designed for lightweight tasks like voice commands and IoT operations. Its ability to run offline on low-cost devices makes it ideal for embedded systems like smartwatches and IoT appliances. Check out the SuperFly model
3. How does ChickBrain compare to larger AI models?
ChickBrain boasts 3.2 billion parameters and performs complex reasoning tasks. Despite its smaller size, it rivals larger models like Meta's Llama 3.1 (8 billion parameters) in performance assessments, thanks to Multiverse’s advanced compression techniques. Explore ChickBrain’s capabilities
4. What is CompactifAI, the technology behind these models?
CompactifAI is a proprietary quantum-inspired compression algorithm that reshapes neural network structures for greater efficiency, reducing model size by up to 50-80% while preserving their performance. Discover how CompactifAI works
5. Who are the key founders of Multiverse Computing?
Multiverse Computing was co-founded by Román Orús, Samuel Mugel, and Enrique Lizaso Olmos. They bring expertise in quantum computing, physics, and finance to the company's innovative AI ventures. Meet the founders
6. How is Multiverse’s AI impacting industries?
By enabling AI to operate offline on low-cost devices, Multiverse is revolutionizing industries like IoT, manufacturing, and consumer electronics. Their work also addresses privacy concerns by eliminating the need for cloud-based data processing. Learn about Multiverse’s industry impact
7. What benchmarks prove ChickBrain’s high performance?
ChickBrain outperforms larger models in benchmarks such as the MMLU-Pro (language skills), Math 500 (math reasoning), and GPQA Diamond (knowledge tasks), illustrating that compression techniques do not compromise quality. Explore benchmark results for ChickBrain
8. What funding has Multiverse Computing secured?
Multiverse raised $215 million in a funding round led by Bullhound Capital in 2025. This funding supports their mission to make AI more accessible and cost-effective. Learn about their latest funding round
9. What companies are partnering with Multiverse Computing?
Multiverse is collaborating with major manufacturers like Bosch, HP, and Samsung to integrate their compressed AI models into localized processing technologies. Check out Multiverse’s partnerships
10. How can startups learn from Multiverse’s success?
Startups can take inspiration from Multiverse by focusing on efficiency rather than scale, leveraging quantum-inspired technologies, and prioritizing energy sustainability to create innovative solutions for emerging markets. Take lessons from Multiverse’s journey
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
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