Amsterdam-based startup Yasu recently made headlines for securing €850K in funding to advance its AI-powered cloud cost optimization platform. For entrepreneurs and innovators like myself, Violetta Bonenkamp, this is a moment of exploration into how startups are tackling inefficiencies in an increasingly tech-driven world. With decades of experience in deeptech and game design, I’m always drawn to strategies that fuse AI with practical solutions to real-world problems, and Yasu is a fascinating case study.
Why Yasu Stands Out in the Startup Ecosystem
Yasu’s mission is crystal clear: reduce "cloud waste," a significant and often overlooked issue in today’s cloud-dominated tech environment. Research shows that 30% of cloud budgets are typically wasted due to underutilized resources, inefficient configurations, or outdated optimizations.
What makes Yasu unique is its proactive approach. Instead of offering retrospective dashboards, Yasu integrates AI directly into development workflows, identifying cost implications during the design phase and throughout deployment pipelines. This not only saves money but also reinforces operational efficiency.
As someone who has spent years connecting education, deeptech, and AI, I see this as the kind of innovative thinking entrepreneurial ecosystems need more of. Yasu isn’t just solving a tech problem; it’s addressing a financial pain point every DevOps team relates to, especially startups and SMEs where every euro adds up.
Insights from Yasu’s Funding Win
The €850K funding, spearheaded by Antler, underscores the growing investor confidence in AI-powered SaaS solutions. It’s notable that Antler, an accelerator known for spotting talent early, has backed Yasu, as this reflects well on the team’s scalability potential.
For startup founders, this funding highlights key takeaways:
- Focus on Targeted Efficiency: Solving specific pain points, especially ones that affect bottom lines, will always attract investor interest.
- Expand Markets Strategically: Yasu intends to use the funds to expand its reach in Europe, tapping into a market ripe for innovative SaaS tools.
- AI is a Major Differentiator: Leveraging advanced technologies to address practical, everyday inefficiencies is no longer optional, it’s a survival tactic.
Read more about Yasu securing €850K for its AI system in Europe.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs: The Science of Cloud Efficiency
Whether you’re managing a team, building a SaaS product, or innovating in blockchain (something I’ve integrated into CADChain’s strategies), cloud management is one of those back-office tasks that can drive operational success, or failure. Here’s why platforms like Yasu are critical:
- Real-time Optimization Saves Resources: Yasu reduces cloud waste before problems arise, which is 10 times cheaper to fix during development stages compared to post-deployment corrections.
- Savings Beyond Budget Cuts: It’s not just about cost savings but enabling engineers to focus more on innovation and less on firefighting inefficiencies.
- Scalable Solutions Add Value: AI solutions like Yasu's can scale globally, offering high-value ROI for Fortune 500s and bootstrapped startups alike.
Here’s an interesting statistic to consider: 85% of startups using AI-driven optimization tools report faster decision-making, as per recent SaaS market studies.
A How-to Guide: Reducing Cloud Inefficiencies
If you’re running a hyper-digital startup and are eager to optimize your cloud operations, take a page from Yasu’s approach with this step-by-step guide:
- Conduct a Cloud Audit: Analyze your current infrastructure to identify redundant resources or inefficiencies.
- Embed AI Early: Instead of tackling errors retroactively, integrate AI systems directly into your design pipelines. Yasu offers a perfect example of this model.
- Prioritize Proactivity Over Data Dumping: Choose tools that act on inefficiencies rather than just showing dashboards of old data. Actionable insights are game-changers.
- Partner with Experts: Teams with extensive backgrounds in cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud will bring better results to AI-driven workflows.
Learn more about strategies like these via Yasu’s own product descriptions and updates.
Mistakes to Avoid
As I’ve seen time and again in early-stage ventures, there are common pitfalls with AI adoption and SaaS innovations. Here are the critical ones to avoid while implementing cloud management solutions:
- Ignoring Scalability: Many solutions work for small-scale startups but cannot handle growth. Build for scale from day one.
- Overloading AI: While AI tools are powerful, complexity for its own sake can alienate users. Yasu’s focus on seamless workflows offers a blueprint for simplicity.
- Avoiding Real-time Systems: Dashboards that report old data are not helpful when the problem occurred weeks ago. Always invest in solutions that act now.
- Failing to Upskill Teams: AI tools are only as effective as the developers and tech teams managing them. Invest in training early!
My Perspective: A Serial Entrepreneur’s Take on the AI Market
The genius of Yasu lies in applying AI to a very niche but highly impactful problem, cloud waste. What I admire most about platforms like these is their potential for cross-industry adoption. AI removes the guesswork, and from my experience running CADChain and Fe/male Switch, I know how crucial automation can be when there is zero room for error.
Secondly, Yasu’s European focus excites me. Too often, startups pigeonhole themselves as U.S.-focused, ignoring fertile grounds elsewhere. With Europe’s SaaS market expanding, Yasu’s timing couldn’t be better.
Conclusion
Entrepreneurs, especially those in tech-heavy industries, should take a close look at companies like Yasu. Its focus on AI-powered cloud cost optimization means it isn’t just reacting to inefficiencies; it's proactively redefining the conversation around enterprise resource management.
As Violetta Bonenkamp, I’m reminded that while flashy industries often capture headlines, long-term business wins almost always come from smarter, quieter tools like this one. By tackling inefficiencies head-on, startups like Yasu can build lasting value while solving problems teams don’t even realize they have yet.
For more updates on Yasu and learning how you can optimize your operations, check out this detailed report on their funding and vision. Who knows, Yasu might even inspire your next venture!
FAQ
1. What is Yasu, and what problem does it solve?
Yasu is an Amsterdam-based startup that developed an AI-powered cloud cost optimization platform. It aims to reduce "cloud waste," such as underutilized resources and inefficient configurations, which account for up to 30% of cloud budgets. Learn more about Yasu’s funding achievement
2. How does Yasu’s AI differ from other cloud cost management tools?
Yasu integrates AI directly into development workflows to identify cost implications during design and deployment. Unlike traditional tools providing retrospective dashboards, Yasu proactively prevents inefficiencies. Discover Yasu’s proactive approach
3. How much funding did Yasu secure, and who is the lead investor?
Yasu raised €850,000 in pre-seed funding, with the round led by Antler. Read about Yasu’s funding on Silicon Canals
4. What will Yasu use the funding for?
The funding will be used to enhance Yasu’s AI platform for cloud cost optimization and expand its market presence across Europe. Learn about Yasu’s European market expansion
5. Why is Yasu considered innovative in the AI industry?
Yasu addresses a specific and impactful issue, cloud waste, by using AI to offer real-time solutions integrated into workflows. This prevents inefficiencies during early design stages. Explore Yasu’s AI innovation
6. What makes cloud waste a critical issue for businesses?
Research shows up to 30% of cloud budgets are wasted, costing businesses significant resources. Addressing this issue helps organizations streamline expenses and optimize their IT infrastructure. Understand the impact of cloud waste via Yasu
7. Who are the founders of Yasu, and what are their qualifications?
Yasu was founded by Vikram Das and John in ’t Hout, who have over 30 years of expertise in cloud platforms like AWS and Google Cloud, along with experience in building AI systems.
8. What is Antler’s role in Yasu’s journey?
Antler, a leading early-stage VC firm, provided pre-seed funding and guidance to Yasu, reflecting strong confidence in its scalability potential. Check Antler’s impact on AI startups
9. How does AI-powered cloud management benefit businesses?
AI reduces cloud inefficiencies by providing actionable insights and proactive solutions in real-time, enabling businesses to save costs and improve operational efficiency. Learn how AI impacts cloud management
10. Why is Yasu targeting the European market?
Europe’s SaaS market is experiencing rapid growth, making it a strategic region for Yasu’s expansion. Accessing this market allows catering to emerging startups and established enterprises. Read about Yasu’s European strategy
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.