# Literal Labs closes pre-seed round

Last updated: 02 June 2025

We’re thrilled to share that _The Times_ has profiled Literal Labs in its Monday 2 June edition, highlighting our successful [£4.6 million funding round](https://www.literal-labs.ai/news/literal-labs-funding.html) and the revolutionary potential of our logic-based AI models. The piece, penned by Tom Saunders, underscores how our approach — based on Tsetlin Machines — offers a credible, high-performance alternative to conventional neural networks, with far lower energy and compute demands.

As our CEO Noel Hurley explained, “We’re at a pivotal moment for AI, with adoption continuing to accelerate alongside sustainability and cost concerns.” He added, “Our logic-based AI offers a new solution for those that want and need high-performing AI that is faster, more energy efficient and more explainable than what’s currently available.”

In perhaps the most memorable quote, Hurley compared the current AI ecosystem to a junior football match: “You see the young kids all clustered around the ball and that ball today is neural networks. What we want to do is add some breadth and alternative options into the toolkit.”

The article also features supportive remarks from Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, and Newcastle University’s Rick McCordall, reflecting the depth of institutional backing behind Literal Labs.

### More

Visit '[Energy-efficient AI start-up wins £4.6 million in funding](https://thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/northern-gritstone-leads-funding-for-energy-efficient-ai-start-up-6f6xj833c)' to read the piece in full. It was authored by Tom Saunders for The Times and published 02 Jun 2025.

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