Nous Research released its Hermes agent for business users on October 7, 2026, saying it enables companies to deploy customized AI agents that handle multi-step workflows while keeping data private and secure. It is the company's first enterprise-focused update since its open-source launch.
The startup reported a valuation of $1.5 billion, measured after raising $90 million in Series B funding, with Robot Ventures leading the round. That compares with a previous valuation of $36 million in annualized revenue by mid-September 2026.
Hermes is built on open-source technology and targets enterprise users looking to automate complex tasks. Availability begins with a beta launch, initially for businesses interested in deploying AI agents.
"The Hermes agent has been cloned more than 24 million times, driving roughly 2.5% of global AI token usage," said Marina Temkin, according to the source. The agent’s popularity among developers and individuals has positioned it as a key player in the AI space.
The announcement follows a reported $158 million in total funding since the startup’s founding, with the company expecting to pass $100 million in annual revenue before the end of 2026. The source framed the move as a step toward expanding Hermes into the enterprise market.
Nous Research did not say when the beta will be available, and the company raised the question of how businesses will integrate AI agents into existing workflows. The next step is to refine the platform for enterprise use.
Source: techcrunch
