According to a report by AI Insider, Cloudforce, an up-and-coming technology firm based in Maryland, United States, has announced the successful close of a $10 million Series A investment round led by Owl Ventures with key participation from Microsoft’s venture arm, M12. This funding marks a big milestone for the company’s flagship AI platform, nebulaONE, as it drives the adoption of secure and equitable artificial intelligence in sectors like education, healthcare, and public services around the world.
In an era where institutions grapple with how to safely deploy AI, Cloudforce’s approach has caught the eye of heavy hitters in both venture capital and technology. The company plans to use the new capital to scale its operations, expand its global reach, develop specialised AI tools for targeted workflows, and grow its team in 2026.
For many emerging economies, including Nigeria, this type of investment signals that responsible AI frameworks can be built and scaled without compromising privacy or compliance.
Table of Contents
An AI solution designed for regulated industries
At the heart of Cloudforce’s vision is nebulaONE, an AI platform that lets institutions connect securely to some of the most advanced generative models available today while retaining full control of their data and regulatory obligations. Built entirely on Microsoft Azure, the system allows organisations to choose from leading AI models from providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta, and operate them within a private cloud environment.
This bring-your-own-model design is particularly valuable for organisations operating in fields with strict compliance requirements. Privacy laws like FERPA in education, HIPAA in healthcare, and GDPR in Europe have made it difficult for many universities and medical institutions to take full advantage of powerful AI tools without risking data exposure. Cloudforce’s approach directly addresses these concerns by embedding enterprise-level security and compliance into the platform.
To date, Cloudforce’s platform is used by more than 3 million users across over 90 institutions globally, including renowned names like the University of Oxford, UCLA, the University of Maryland, and the London Business School. Organisations are adopting the system nearly every week as demand grows for responsible and compliant AI solutions.
Investor confidence and strategic partnerships
The investment round was led by Owl Ventures, the world’s largest venture capital firm focused on the education technology space. Owl Ventures’ backing affirms Cloudforce’s potential not just as a technology provider, but as an infrastructure partner capable of reshaping how AI is used in complex institutional settings. According to investors, what initially drew interest was Cloudforce’s strategy of building foundational technology that supports entire campuses and organisations rather than piecemeal solutions.
Microsoft’s participation through its M12 fund adds another layer of strategic support. The relationship between Cloudforce and Microsoft is more than financial. Cloudforce was named Microsoft’s 2025 Education Partner of the Year, a distinction that reflects the company’s alignment with Microsoft’s vision for responsible AI deployment at scale. Microsoft brings not only capital but access to its global enterprise sales teams and product resources, which will be pivotal as Cloudforce expands into new sectors.
M12’s managing partner highlighted Cloudforce’s ability to turn advanced AI models into secure, compliant solutions that organisations can deploy with confidence, especially in the public sector. This emphasis on trust and regulatory alignment underscores the wider trend of enterprises demanding AI tools that do not expose them to legal or ethical risk.
What this means for global and African innovation
The announcement comes at a time when the global AI landscape is rapidly maturing, and countries across Africa are exploring ways to harness AI for development while avoiding the pitfalls of unregulated use. Education and healthcare are two sectors where AI could have a transformative impact, yet they also face intense scrutiny over data governance and ethical deployment. Cloudforce’s model provides a blueprint for how institutions can adopt leading AI safely and equitably.
Nigeria, with its burgeoning tech scene and growing number of AI startups and research initiatives, stands to benefit indirectly from advancements like this. As global tools evolve to meet compliance and security standards, developers and organisations in Nigeria and the wider continent can integrate such platforms into local systems, adapting them to meet regional policies and needs. This could help bridge gaps in digital infrastructure, enhance learning outcomes, support healthcare delivery, and promote innovation without compromising user privacy.
Cloudforce’s expansion into healthcare is particularly notable. After achieving certification for HIPAA compliance earlier in 2025, the company has already onboarded its first healthcare clients. This early traction highlights the strong demand for AI systems that can support sensitive workflows in regulated industries while maintaining high standards of security and patient data protection.
Looking ahead, Cloudforce plans to launch vertical-specific AI agents tailored to the unique needs of education and healthcare professionals. These agents are expected to streamline workflows, provide intelligent assistance, and help organisations unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence within their operational boundaries.
The firm’s unique blend of technology deployment with consulting, organisational change management, and on-site engineering support has contributed to an impressive retention rate, with 100 per cent subscriber retention recorded in 2025. This level of satisfaction underscores the effectiveness of a service model that goes beyond software and fosters long-term partnerships.
Conclusion
In a world where AI technologies continue to outpace regulation and adoption strategies, Cloudforce’s Series A round represents a meaningful step towards responsible, secure, and accessible artificial intelligence. With strong backing from Owl Ventures and Microsoft, and a rapidly expanding global footprint, the company is poised to shape how institutions of all sizes deploy and benefit from AI.
For countries like Nigeria, watching these developments unfold offers valuable insights into how technology partnerships can be structured to prioritise ethical standards, compliance, and inclusion. As AI becomes central to education and healthcare systems worldwide, examples like Cloudforce show that it is possible to pursue cutting-edge innovation that serves everyone without sacrificing trust or safety.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
