b12 Labs
YC S25San Francisco, US · Founded 2025 · 3 employees · Hiring · 3 known investors
b12 develops AI agents and lab automation software to help chemists plan, optimize, and execute the synthesis of complex molecules. The platform combines chemistry expertise with agentic AI systems to streamline organic synthesis workflows.
Also known as b-12 · B12
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareHealthtechRoboticsAI-powered Drug DiscoveryUnited States of AmericaAmerica / Canada
Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (S25)
b12 Labs was founded in 2025 by Zlatko Jončev and Andres Bran.
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Zlatko Jončevin𝕏FounderZlatko Jončev completed a postdoctoral fellowship at EPFL's Lab of Artificial Chemical Intelligence, where he met co-founder Andres. He is developing AI agents to automate workflows in chemistry and pharmaceutical R&D.
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Andres Branin𝕏FounderAndres developed AI agents for molecular design and planning in robotic laboratory settings, with published research in machine learning applied to chemistry. He completed a PhD at EPFL in AI and chemistry, and previously interned at the Max Planck Institute.
Investors · 3
The YC application· Summer 2025 batch
Alumni Q&A
- How did your company get started? (i.e., How did the founders meet? How did you come up with the idea? How did you decide to be a founder?)
- The founders, Andres and Zlatko, met at EPFL in the Lab of Artificial Chemical Intelligence, where Zlatko was a postdoc and Andres was a PhD student.
- How did you decide to apply to Y Combinator? What was your experience applying, going through the batch, and fundraising at demo day?
- The founders applied after YC partners visited their campus at EPFL, and described the batch as demanding but a source of useful advice on building a startup.
Summarized from the founders' answers on their Y Combinator profile.
Images
Competitors · 2
by search overlapB1215 shared keywordsB12 offers an AI-powered website builder that generates a complete first draft of a website, online store, portfolio, blog, or web app from a text prompt, which users can then refine via an AI agent or visual editor. It also runs an Expert Marketplace connecting users with vetted designers, copywriters, and SEO specialists, and serves businesses, creators, agencies, nonprofits, and professional services firms.
ChatGPT4 shared keywordsChatGPT is an AI assistant that generates text responses, creates images, and processes uploaded files based on user prompts and saved chat history.
Companies competing with b12 Labs for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
In the news
Frequently asked questions
- What does b12 Labs do?
- b12 develops AI agents and lab automation software to help chemists plan, optimize, and execute the synthesis of complex molecules. The platform combines chemistry expertise with agentic AI systems to streamline organic synthesis workflows.
- Who founded b12 Labs?
- b12 Labs was founded by Zlatko Jončev, Andres Bran in 2025.
- Who are b12 Labs's investors?
- b12 Labs's investors include Y Combinator, Transpose Platform Management, ZAKA VC.
- Where is b12 Labs headquartered?
- b12 Labs is headquartered in San Francisco, US.