Araceli Biosciences Secures $11.2M to Accelerate Drug Discovery with AI-Powered Imaging

Araceli Biosciences, a Portland-based biotech startup, has raised $11.2 million in Series A funding to advance its AI-driven imaging platforms designed to boost speed and accuracy in drug discovery. The company develops automated cell imaging and analysis systems that allow scientists to rapidly assess large volumes of data, improving the identification of promising drug candidates.

Founded in 2021, Araceli aims to address a major bottleneck in biomedical research: the slow, labor-intensive process of screening compounds and analyzing cell behavior. Its flagship product, Endeavor™, combines high-throughput imaging with machine-learning algorithms to detect subtle changes in cell morphology and function—crucial for early-stage pharmaceutical research.

The funding round was led by Arboretum Ventures, with participation from iSelect Fund and the Oregon Venture Fund. The capital will be used to scale operations, expand the scientific and engineering teams, and accelerate commercialization efforts.

With interest in AI-powered biotechnology soaring, Araceli’s platform is positioned to transform how researchers uncover new therapeutics, making the process faster, more reliable, and ultimately more cost-effective.