Cobalt AI Launches Advanced Data Infrastructure for AI Labs

San Francisco startup provides expert-curated datasets and evaluation tools for AI development and investment

Feb. 20, 2026 at 10:26pm by Ben Kaplan

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Cobalt AI, a San Francisco-based startup, has launched a comprehensive platform that provides expert-curated datasets, evaluation frameworks, and specialized data tools designed for AI labs, AI agent development, and institutional investors. The platform delivers critical training and evaluation data through curated expert knowledge from leading professionals, including physicians from Mayo Clinic and senior executives at companies like SpaceX and Google, alongside proprietary datasets and systematic evaluation methodologies across the artificial intelligence ecosystem.

Why it matters

AI labs, companies building AI agents, and institutional investors require a higher level of data quality and evaluation rigor than what is available through conventional data providers. Cobalt AI's platform aims to bridge this gap by providing access to expert-curated datasets and robust evaluation frameworks to support the development and validation of leading AI research, autonomous AI agents, and AI-focused investment strategies.

The details

Cobalt AI's platform is designed to support the development and validation requirements of leading AI research labs, companies building autonomous AI agents, and institutional investors evaluating AI opportunities. The platform delivers critical training and evaluation data through curated expert knowledge from leading professionals, including physicians from Mayo Clinic and senior executives at companies like SpaceX and Google, alongside proprietary datasets and systematic evaluation methodologies across the artificial intelligence ecosystem.

  • Cobalt AI was founded in San Francisco in 2026.

The players

Cobalt AI

A San Francisco-based startup that builds data infrastructure for artificial intelligence development and investment.

Daniel Blay

The founder of Cobalt AI, who previously served as Vice President at Zipline, a San Francisco-based robotics company specializing in autonomous logistics systems.

Mayo Clinic

A nonprofit organization committed to clinical practice, education, and research, providing expert-curated datasets to Cobalt AI.

SpaceX

A private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company, with senior executives providing expert-curated datasets to Cobalt AI.

Google

A multinational technology company, with senior executives providing expert-curated datasets to Cobalt AI.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“AI labs, companies building AI agents, and institutional investors are our core customers. They require a level of data quality and evaluation rigor that goes far beyond what's available through conventional data providers.”

— Daniel Blay, Founder of Cobalt AI

The takeaway

Cobalt AI's platform aims to provide AI labs, companies building autonomous AI agents, and institutional investors with the expert-curated datasets and robust evaluation frameworks they need to develop and validate the next generation of AI systems, autonomous agents, and AI-focused investment strategies.