We’re excited to lead BITE’s $2.5M Seed round.
Global trade compliance remains one of the most complex and overlooked functions in modern operations. Despite its critical role, many compliance teams still rely on fragmented spreadsheets, outdated ERP systems, and costly consultants to manage increasingly demanding regulations. As enforcement intensifies, companies are being pulled into compliance processes without the systems or expertise to manage them effectively.
BITE is building the next generation of trade compliance infrastructure. The company is creating an AI-native platform that automates how trade teams assess cross-border risk, screen restricted parties, classify products, and make sourcing and tariff decisions. By transforming manual, analog workflows into streamlined, intelligent processes, BITE is becoming the system of record for global trade compliance, supporting operations teams while building a powerful data layer around risk, tariffs, and supplier networks.
What sets BITE apart is the depth of experience behind the product. The company was founded by Thariq Kara (CEO) and Anne Riitho (Chief Data Officer), two industry experts who spent years inside the government agencies that enforce trade rules. Thariq previously served as Chief Data Architect at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, where he designed national-scale systems for customs and trade enforcement. Anne built her career leading international trade investigations across the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and State Department, supporting cases involving export controls, sanctions, and supply chain violations.
Their firsthand knowledge of how compliance is enforced and experienced gives the team a rare combination of domain expertise and technical execution. It fits squarely within our thesis of backing AI-native platforms built by domain experts to modernize legacy industries. Rather than adapting AI to outdated workflows, BITE is purpose-built to automate the tasks that slow trade teams down.
We are excited to partner with BITE as they modernize how global trade compliance and supply chain risk are managed. With this new investment, the company will accelerate product development, expand engineering and go-to-market teams, and meet the growing demand for faster, smarter, and more reliable compliance solutions.
Visit their website and LinkedIn to learn more about the product and how to get involved. We can’t wait to see the impact BITE will have in transforming global trade operations.