Nigerian-born software engineer Saheed Akinbile has secured $3.8 million in seed funding for Minicor, a San Francisco-based artificial intelligence startup developing technology that allows businesses to connect modern AI applications with outdated software systems.
The funding, announced on October 14, 2026, marks a significant step for the company, which Akinbile co-founded with Faizaan Chishtie to address a common challenge facing businesses adopting AI: integrating new technologies with existing software that was not designed to support them.
The investment round was led by Brad Gillespie of IA Ventures, with backing from Y Combinator, Paul Graham, Pioneer Fund, Robinhood Ventures, Garage Capital, Rebel Fund, K5 Global and 20VC.
Minicor focuses on enabling AI-powered applications to communicate with legacy desktop software, particularly systems that lack application programming interfaces, commonly known as APIs.
These interfaces allow different software applications to exchange information and perform tasks together. Without them, integrating modern AI tools into older business systems can be difficult.
Minicor’s technology addresses this problem by converting desktop workflows into API endpoints, allowing developers to connect AI applications with existing software without requiring companies to replace their systems.
The strategy of the startup was a result of some kind of business problem. One of the potential clients asked for integration of an AI-based application with a certain system of medical records that did not have any API.
Since developing its platform, Minicor has reported more than 2.5 million automation executions. Its founders also say the technology handles thousands of workflows each week and has helped at least one customer move from an initial proof of concept to a production-ready system within three weeks.
Minicor was selected for Y Combinator’s Spring 2026 startup accelerator programme after a lengthy application process involving seven attempts and three interview invitations.
The company operates in a competitive automation market that includes established technology providers such as UiPath and Microsoft Power Automate.
Although Minicor has attracted investment from several prominent venture capital firms, its valuation, revenue and number of paying customers have not been publicly disclosed.
For Akinbile, the funding milestone follows a career spanning automotive engineering, financial services and software development.
Raised in Lagos, Nigeria, he moved to Canada at the age of 18, initially intending to pursue mechanical engineering before becoming interested in software development.
He subsequently studied software engineering at the University of Ottawa, a decision that shaped his career in technology.
“I came to Canada planning to become a mechanical engineer. Software won me over, and I went on to study software engineering at the University of Ottawa. I never lost my love for things that move,” Akinbile wrote on his personal website.
His early professional experience included working at Ford, where he contributed to software used in automotive systems such as automatic parking, cameras, sensors and vehicle controls.
His responsibilities also involved developing technology that allowed drivers to adjust steering responsiveness, suspension stiffness and acceleration.
Akinbile later gained experience at Morgan Stanley and Kinaxis, while also contributing to Software for Love and working on Lucky Star, a lottery product operated under ESS Nigeria Limited.
These experiences preceded his move into building technology companies, eventually leading to the establishment of Minicor.
Despite living and working abroad, Akinbile has expressed a continuing interest in Nigeria’s development.
“Making Nigeria a better place to live is one of the things that drives me,” he said.
He has also spoken about the importance of mentoring others and exchanging ideas with people interested in technology and entrepreneurship.
While his latest venture has attracted international financial backing, Minicor has not announced plans to establish operations in Nigeria.
For now, the company’s immediate business focus remains on helping organisations make existing software compatible with newer AI-powered applications.
The $3.8 million investment provides funding for Minicor as it pursues that opportunity, although its longer-term commercial performance remains unclear without publicly available revenue, customer and valuation figures.
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