Paris-based AI voice startup Gradium has successfully expanded its seed funding round to a total of $100 million, now including investment from tech giant Nvidia. This strategic infusion of capital is earmarked for establishing a new office in the San Francisco Bay Area, positioning Gradium closer to the epicenter of AI innovation alongside industry leaders such as Anthropic, Google, Meta, and OpenAI.
Initially emerging from stealth mode in December 2025, Gradium secured $70 million from prominent investors, including FirstMark Capital, Eurazeo, DST Global Partners, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and French telecom magnate Xavier Niel. The startup originated from the French AI research lab Kyutai, co-founded by Neil Zeghidour, a seasoned researcher with experience at Google Brain, DeepMind, and Facebook.
Gradium specializes in developing audio models designed to deliver voice responses at scale with ultra-low latency, aiming to eliminate the delays often associated with AI-driven conversations. This technology is particularly relevant as the demand for seamless and responsive AI interactions continues to grow across various sectors.
The AI voice market is highly competitive, with established players like ElevenLabs, which achieved an $11 billion valuation in February 2026, and major tech companies such as Google, known for its Gemini voice models. Despite this, Gradium has made significant strides, securing major clients like French automobile manufacturer Renault since its public debut.
Gradium’s decision to establish a presence in the Bay Area underscores the importance of proximity to leading AI ecosystems for talent acquisition and collaboration opportunities. This move reflects a broader trend of European tech companies seeking to integrate more closely with Silicon Valley’s dynamic environment to accelerate growth and innovation.
