Kognitos, a San Jose-based startup founded by former Nutanix CTO Binny Gill, is transforming enterprise automation with its “English as code” approach. Instead of relying on complex programming, the company enables employees to create workflows in plain English. Backed by Khosla Ventures, Kognitos is building a neurosymbolic AI platform that blends symbolic logic with modern AI, making automation faster, more accurate, and more accessible.
The Problem with Traditional Automation
For decades, enterprises have tried to automate processes. Yet most efforts ran into familiar hurdles: high costs, steep learning curves, and long deployment cycles. Traditional RPA (Robotic Process Automation) tools often required heavy coding, which limited adoption and slowed down ROI.
Kognitos aims to remove these barriers. Its core promise is simple: let employees automate tasks by writing instructions in English. By doing so, it reduces dependence on technical talent and avoids the unpredictability of black-box AI models.
The “English as Code” Approach
Binny Gill describes Kognitos’ technology as a neurosymbolic AI system. “English as code means treating English as a symbolic language, like math or Java. The ‘neuro’ part is where AI steps in. Combined, you get a neuro-symbolic system—an LLM that understands intent and executes instructions deterministically, without bias or hallucinations,” Gill explains.
The platform’s Natural Language Process Automation (NLPA) engine converts everyday language into automated workflows. Delivered through a bot-less, cloud-based platform, it connects seamlessly with ERP, CRM, and other core applications. This makes automation easier, faster, and more scalable than legacy systems.
Why English as Code Matters
Kognitos envisions a world where business applications are written in English, machines understand human instructions directly, and automation feels as natural as conversation.
By blending neural networks with symbolic reasoning, the platform reduces errors and avoids the risk of hallucinations. Its Process Refinement Engine—a patented core technology—continuously improves workflows using feedback and exceptions. This creates a self-improving and auditable automation system, unlike traditional RPA which requires constant manual coding.
Several business tasks remain manual because older automation tools are too complex or costly. A finance professional, for example, might struggle to explain every step of invoice processing to a developer. Kognitos solves this by letting users simply write instructions in English, which the system converts into workflows.
The platform supports diverse tasks, from voice transcription and QR scanning to data visualization, PDF form filling, and light image editing—all without relying on bots.
Business Impact and Adoption
Kognitos focuses on process-oriented agents that follow prescribed workflows, rather than goal-oriented agents. This approach mirrors how businesses run—through structured steps rather than ad hoc goals.
The results are significant. Boost Mobile, a Dish Network subsidiary, reduced lease audit processing time by 97%, saving 29,500 staff hours annually with Kognitos.
The enterprise automation market, valued at $75 billion, is projected to reach $250 billion by 2032 (FutureDataStats). With adoption across manufacturing, logistics, consumer goods, and retail, Kognitos already counts PepsiCo, Wipro, Century Supply Chain Solutions, and Norco Industries among its customers.
Funding and Competitive Edge
In 2023, Kognitos raised $20 million in Series A funding led by Khosla Ventures, with participation from Clear Ventures, Engineering Capital, and Wipro Ventures. To date, it has raised $55 million.
The company competes with leading RPA firms like Automation Anywhere, UiPath, and Blue Prism, as well as newer entrants like Adept. However, its differentiator lies in ease of use—any employee can create automations in plain English, while the platform automatically flags and corrects errors.
Gill emphasizes that enterprises don’t want to eliminate humans from automation. Instead, they want “human-in-the-loop” control. “Iron Man is always in his suit. People want to be in the middle, guiding both intelligence and execution,” he says.
Conclusion
By combining symbolic logic with neural networks, Kognitos is redefining enterprise automation with its English as code approach. With backing from Khosla Ventures, growing enterprise adoption, and a clear edge in usability, the startup is well-positioned to become a leader in the $250 billion automation market.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information originally published by YourStory. All rights and credits for the original reporting belong to YourStory and the respective author. The content here has been adapted for informational purposes.
