London-based startup 22one, founded by former police detective Steven Richardson, has reached a valuation of approximately $400 million. The company, incorporated in December 2026, focuses on developing artificial intelligence tools designed to improve the efficiency of police operations.
The funding round attracted major venture capital firms, including Sequoia, General Catalyst, Lux Capital, and Creandum. These investors bring significant experience in the defense and technology sectors, having previously backed companies such as Anduril, Helsing, and Peregrine Technologies.
Richardson previously served as a lead for UK policing at Amazon Web Services and worked at Palantir. He also co-founded Riven, a firm that developed the DocDefender software. This tool, later acquired by NEC Software Solutions, was utilized by nearly half of UK police forces and saved over 9,500 staff hours annually in pilot programs.
The launch of 22one coincides with broader government initiatives, such as the PoliceAI project, which allocated £75 million over three years to fund digital evidence processing trials. These pilot schemes are scheduled to run through 2026-2027, with a full rollout anticipated in 2027.
