EquiLibre Technologies
Category: AI in Fintech
Prague-based AI lab founded by ex-DeepMind researchers applying reinforcement learning from poker AI to algorithmic trading for quant hedge funds. EquiLibre Technologies was founded in 2022. The company is led by Martin Schmid. Based in Prague, Czech Republic. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $14.93M. Latest round: Series A. Key investors include Creandum (led Series A), Blossom Capital (led Seed), Credo Ventures (pre-seed), Rockaway Capital, K5 Global, Miton.
- Founded
- 2022
- Headquarters
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Team size
- 11-50
- Total funding
- $14.93M
Value proposition
Applying cutting-edge reinforcement learning (proven in game-theoretic AI like DeepStack) to live financial markets, achieving consistent positive monthly returns since inception with billions in daily trading volume.
Products and solutions
Reinforcement learning-based AI trading systems for equities (S&P 500, Nasdaq) and crypto markets, algorithmic trading via partnership with Tower Research Capital
Unique value
Only AI trading lab founded by the creators of DeepStack (the first AI to defeat humans at no-limit poker) and Player of Games, applying the same game-theoretic RL approach to financial markets with a "lab first, not a finance firm" ethos.
Target customer
Quantitative hedge funds and proprietary trading firms
Industries served
Quantitative finance, algorithmic trading, crypto markets
Technology advantage
Deep expertise in reinforcement learning and game theory from DeepMind/IBM Research pedigree; proprietary RL-based trading agents that learn and adapt continuously; advisory board includes Turing Award winner Rich Sutton (father of RL), Michael Bowling, Csaba Szepesvari; focus on compute efficiency ("get more from less") vs. competitors with massive GPU clusters.
How they differentiate
Founded by the actual researchers who built DeepStack (published in Science) — the first AI to beat humans at no-limit poker. They apply the same game-theoretic reinforcement learning to trading, positioning as an AI research lab first rather than a finance firm. Claims "zero negative months since inception" track record. Based in Prague, leveraging Central European talent pool away from SF competition.
Main competitors
Jane Street (uses RL + LLMs for trading, tens of thousands of GPUs), Citadel Securities, XTX Markets, Hudson River Trading, Renaissance Technologies
Key partnerships
Tower Research Capital (exclusive partnership for deploying AI trading algorithms on S&P 500 and Nasdaq, trading billions in daily volume)
Notable customers
Tower Research Capital (quantitative trading firm partner)
Major milestones
2022: Company founded in Prague by ex-DeepMind trio, 2023: $10M Seed round led by Blossom Capital at $140M valuation, 2024: Exclusive partnership with Tower Research Capital for live trading, 2025: AI agents rolled out on crypto markets, 2026: Series A led by Creandum at $500M valuation, algorithms trading billions in daily volume on S&P 500 and Nasdaq with "zero negative months" track record
Growth metrics
$500M valuation (June 2026); trading billions in daily volume; 25 employees; zero negative months since inception
Market positioning
Frontier AI research lab applying RL to trading; positioned as "the AI lab in trading" — a research-first organization that happens to trade, differentiating from pure quant funds. Valued at $500M post-Series A.
Geographic focus
Global (US equities, crypto markets) with operations based in Prague, Czech Republic (Central Europe)
Patents and IP
Co-authors of DeepStack (first AI to defeat humans at no-limit poker, published in Science journal) and Player of Games — foundational game-theoretic RL research
About Martin Schmid
Ex-DeepMind Senior Research Scientist (project lead); Ex-IBM Research scientist. Ph.D. in algorithmic game theory. Co-author of DeepStack (first AI to beat humans at no-limit poker, published in Science) and Player of Games.
Official website: https://www.equilibretechnologies.com/