Israeli Prodigy Builds AI Brain for Next-Gen Robots with $71 Million Funding

At just 13 years old, Yehonatan Yakobi from Kfar Saba was already studying computer science and mathematics at the university level. By 16, he became the youngest employee ever at Check Point, later moving on to Microsoft and serving in the elite Israeli Intelligence Unit 8200. Alongside his longtime friend and partner Gal Niv, Yakobi now leads Enigma, a startup developing advanced AI models that enable robots to understand and operate in the physical world, beyond chatbots or language models.

Founded only ten months ago, Enigma has quickly raised $71 million in a seed funding round led by Index Ventures and Ribbit Capital, with participation from Conviction Partners and prominent Silicon Valley investors including Asaf Rappaport. The company employs 25 people in Tel Aviv and collaborates with partners in retail, healthcare, and industry to create foundational AI software that allows robots to perform complex tasks reliably and intuitively in real environments.

Yakobi explains that while AI has made huge strides in language and communication, machines still struggle with physical tasks humans perform daily. Enigma’s goal is to build AI that helps robots work alongside humans, enhancing efficiency without replacing jobs. For example, robots could assist store clerks by sorting products or help hospitals facing shortages of ultrasound technicians.

Yakobi credits his mother’s fierce determination for his courage and drive, which propelled him through early achievements and elite military service. He emphasizes that success in AI requires persistence and belief in the process, noting that the field is open to anyone willing to work hard. Enigma aims to lead the next decade’s AI revolution by making intelligent robots accessible and natural to use, potentially transforming multiple industries worldwide.