BITE Data, a Leesburg, VA-based AI-native SaaS start-up focused on global trade compliance, has raised a total of $3m in funding to develop AI tools that support trade compliance teams.
The funding includes a $2.5m Series Seed round led by Las Olas Venture Capital (LOVC) and a $500,000 pre-seed round from Techstars and Refashiond Ventures. Additional backing came from New Dominion Angels and Blue Impact Venture Capital.
The company said the new capital will be used to expand its engineering and sales teams, as it builds AI automation solutions for a legacy industry still reliant on manual processes.
Founded in 2023 by Thariq Kara and Anne Riitho, BITE Data leverages artificial intelligence to modernise trade compliance workflows for both import and export operations.
BITE Data’s platform is designed to automate and enhance global trade compliance by delivering AI-powered tools that ensure accuracy, speed, and accountability. As global trade faces increasing geopolitical tensions and regulatory pressures, the company aims to help businesses manage the growing complexity of tariffs, sanctions, and cross-border rules.
BITE CEO Thariq Kara said, “We’re really excited about this investment, and super thankful for the confidence LOVC and the other investors have placed in our vision. Global trade is in huge flux, and we want to provide useful, efficient automation tools to the industry that build on the advancements in AI as well.
Dean Hatton of Las Olas Venture Capital said, “We’re thrilled to back BITE as they modernize a critical often-overlooked function in global trade.
“Thariq and Anne bring unmatched regulatory and technical expertise, and their AI-driven platform is transforming how companies manage compliance risk and cross-border operations. BITE’s technology brings speed, accuracy and accountability to an area that has long relied on manual processes, and we’re excited to support them as they scale their impact across industries.”
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