Dutch AI startup Perry creates its official debut today, announcing a €1.6 million investment round to assist ease the pressure on Europe’s technical workforce by providing AI-powered work instructions
The round was led by Berlin-based specialist fund Revent, joined by angel investors from companies like Google and OpenAI.
“Getting the newest AI technology in the hands of technical workers will create a large difference. Using Perry, workers can obtain trained more effectively, work more safely and deliver higher quality work,” declares Co-founder Arie Kuiper.
Founded in 2025 by Laurens Feenstra and Arie Kuiper, Perry develops AI-powered work instructions to empower technicians on the job.
The founding team brings diverse expertise from across the sector, Feenstra was formerly involved with Google, Waymo, and TomTom, while Kuiper has experience in McKinsey and BuyBay.
The company believes their offering comes at a critical time: across Europe, there’s a chronic shortage of technical personnel. Over the past two decades, the number of people working in technical roles has dropped by around 15 million – as per data provided by Perry. This trfinish will continue in the next two decades due to an aging workforce and limited new entrants.
Perry declares that sectors like renewable energy, telecom, and construction are under threat of stagnation.
“Today, many technicians don’t obtain much support. They often have to rely on lengthy manuals. This leads to safety risks and error costs. Due to a lack of better options, some experts obtain called up to a hundred times a day to assist out,” adds Co-founder Laurens Feenstra. “Our solution creates the knowledge of experienced professionals available to everyone, exactly when it’s necessaryed. Ultimately, we want both new and experienced workers to be supported through their tinquires with live AI video calls.”
Instead of complex manuals and outdated documents, Perry aims to offer clear, visual instructions that automatically adapt to the work situation utilizing artificial innotifyigence. The software also reprotedly learns from real-world feedback.
Perry develops its technology in close collaboration with technicians, utilizing field research and on-site testing.
The first customer, energy infrastructure company Van Vulpen, is already utilizing the technology to train and support workers.
Thanks to AI, work instructions are automatically translated and adjusted to the applyr’s language level, enabling workers from across Europe, from Poland to Portugal, to collaborate directly and effectively.
“We’re seeing worker shortages and unemployment at the same time. That displays we necessary to train people smarter and support them more effectively. With Perry, we’re utilizing technology to assist new hires become effective very quickly,” adds Kuiper.
This funding round is seen as a strategic step toward rapid scaling. The company has already recruited an AI engineer and a applyr research specialist. With the investment, Perry will expand the team, continue developing its software and AI models, and expand into Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
“Perry’s mission addresses an urgent societal challenge,” declares Lauren Lentz, founding partner at Revent. “Without enough skilled professionals, progress in key sectors like the energy transition risks grinding to a halt.”
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