DriveX, an AI-powered vehicle inspection software company, was founded in 2019 during Porsche’s Open Innovation Hackathon. Their goal is to simplify vehicle pre-inspections and revolutionize the auto insurance industry. By addressing glass damage, which makes up 40% of vehicle insurance claims, DriveX aims to solve a major problem in auto repair. In February 2025, the company raised €1.2 million for AI windshield damage detection.
In the Startup of the Day column, the startup’s founding team shares more insights about the startup’s idea, its product, and future plans.
The Startup of the Day column on AIN is dedicated to tech projects from all sectors that originate from the CEE countries. If you would like to introduce your project, please fill in the questionnaire.
Tell us about your startup. How does it work?
DriveX is a deep-tech startup offering AI windshield inspection software for glass repair companies and insurers. We ensure accurate windshield inspections with AI damage detection, helping companies reduce manual reviews while enhancing the customer experience.
For example, an end user with a damaged windshield receives a DriveX link and opens it in their phone's browser (we have a web app, so no downloads are required). The AI-powered photo-taking app guides the user through capturing images of their windshield damage. Immediately after the inspection, the app informs the user whether the windshield can be repaired or needs to be replaced. This information, along with all photos, is automatically forwarded to the repair company in the form of a report. The repair company has all damage reports in one place on DriveX website and can easily share the results with third parties via a link or a PDF.
How did you come up with the startup’s idea? What was the reason/motivation behind it?
We've been in business since 2020 but decided to focus solely on windshield inspections last year. Initially, we attempted to develop damage detection for the entire car body but later chose to specialize in one niche and master it. Based on our results so far, it seems like the best decision we've made.
The initial motivation came from our founders when one of them had a minor car accident and had to endure a tedious process with his insurer to get compensation and have the car repaired. "This could be much more efficient..." he thought – and here we are.
How long did it take to reach the prototype or MVP? What did you encounter?
The initial prototype was developed alongside the company's inception. Improving our solution has been an ongoing process. We've always worked in close collaboration with our clients to ensure the final product brings actual business value.
When exactly did you launch your product? Or when the launch is planned?
We launched windshield inspection in the middle of last year.
Tell us about the stratup’s business model. How do you monetize your product?
We offer a subscription-based service, where clients choose a plan with a specific number of inspections and support hours. We typically sell annual subscriptions.
What are your target markets and consumers?
Our target market has been Europe so far, but we also have clients in Africa and are planning to enter the US market soon.
If the startup has already launched the product, what are the results: metrics, income, or any clear indicators that can be evaluated.
We currently have about 23 clients, including companies like Vienna Insurance Group and Carglass Estonia (Belron's franchise).
What about your team? How many people are working in the startup? If you’re looking for new employees, indicate whom exactly.
We currently have 10 employees.
Have you already raised any investments? Provide us with more details on each funding round: the amount, investors, the purpose of the investment.
In 2020, we closed our first round of 200K. In 2022, we closed the second round of 1 million led by DEPO Ventures. Plug and Play Ventures also participated. In the beginning of this year, we closed a 1.2M funding round to accelerate the development of our AI windshield damage detection. The round saw participation from Carglass Estonia, Lithuanian and Slovenian business angels, existing investors and a development grant from the Estonian applied research program.
What's next? Tell us about your future plans.
We aim to further strengthen our competitive advantage, as feedback from industry leaders has confirmed interest along with more specific needs. Remote and automated damage assessment requires AI to understand multiple aspects of damage. Assessing damage size in 2D format has proven to be an exciting challenge, which will now be tested in both laboratory and real repair shop environments.
Thanks to the recent grant, we can accelerate our research and development, create new patents, and secure our position as a global market leader. We aim to reach hundreds of insurance companies across 40 countries.
