Invention drives the future. From vaccines to electric cars, the world depends on bold ideas. Yet, the systems that protect and monetize intellectual property (IP) remain stuck in the past. Now, Ankar wants to change that with an AI-powered platform designed to help inventors work faster and smarter.
Founded by former Palantir product leaders Tamar Gomez and Wiem Gharbi, the London-based startup just secured £3 million in seed funding. The round was led by Index Ventures, with support from Daphni, Motier Ventures, Booom, Puzzle Ventures, and notable angels including Datadog CEO Olivier Pomel and Hugging Face CTO Julien Chaumond.
Rethinking IP for the AI Era
Ankar uses advanced AI to support every stage of the invention lifecycle. From spotting opportunities to drafting patents and detecting infringements, the platform helps inventors protect their ideas more easily.
Gomez and Gharbi understand the struggles of IP firsthand. At Palantir, they often faced long calls, confusing paperwork, and delays that slowed down innovation. Their solution? A seamless, AI-powered platform that turns IP into a strategic asset rather than just a legal chore.
According to Gomez, intangible assets now make up nearly 90% of many companies’ value. Yet most businesses still rely on outdated tools to manage them. Ankar steps in with a smarter way to capture, protect, and commercialize innovation.
Even in its first year, the startup is already working with top companies across industries like automotive, pharma, and software. Global automotive supplier Valeo is among the early adopters. Their VP of Intellectual Property, Murielle Khairallah, says Ankar’s AI is helping them file patents faster and protect key technologies more efficiently.
Why Ankar Stands Out
Traditional IP platforms like Anaqua and Clarivate still dominate the market, but they weren’t built for today’s AI-driven world. Others like iPNOTE offer tools for specific tasks but don’t cover the full innovation journey.
Ankar, on the other hand, is built from the ground up with AI at its core. Its platform analyzes scientific and legal data, identifies patent gaps, drafts defensible filings, and finds potential infringements—all in one place.
That’s why co-founder Gharbi believes the platform is more than just a time-saver. It’s a partner in the creative process. “By working with AI, inventors can expand what’s possible,” she said. “This isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about imagining things we couldn’t before.”
Backer Hannah Seal from Index Ventures agrees. She sees Ankar as a tool for turning ideas into outcomes, and IP into a growth engine. “Tamar and Wiem are building something transformative,” she said. “They’re helping teams bring breakthrough ideas to life.”
