This industrial AI startup is winning over customers by saying it won’t get acquired

Industrial AI startup CVector is gaining traction with manufacturers, utility providers, and other industrial customers by emphasizing its long-term commitment to staying independent and not being acquired. Founders Richard Zhang and Tyler Ruggles frequently face customer concerns about the startup’s longevity, especially given the competitive tech landscape where large companies often absorb promising startups. To address this, CVector assures clients it will remain operational and mission-focused, a stance that resonates strongly with critical infrastructure customers such as national gas utilities and chemical manufacturers. This commitment is further supported by their choice of investors like Schematic Ventures, who specialize in supply chain and manufacturing software and value long-term founder alignment over quick exits. CVector’s founders bring complementary expertise that builds customer trust: Zhang’s experience developing software for oil industry field workers and Ruggles’ background in experimental particle physics and high-reliability data systems. The company has creatively developed its AI software architecture—described as a “brain and nervous system for industrial assets”—by integrating diverse data sources