Option Circle Raises $3M In New Funding

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Option Circle, an AI driven autonomous trading platform for options and other assets, closed its latest funding round, raising $3 million in a later stage venture capital effort. This funding included institutional investors, private capital, and $366,417 from 127 crowdfunding participants on StartEngine.

What is Option Circle?

Option Circle is a San Jose-based financial technology company specializing in an AI driven autonomous trading platform designed for options, equities, ETFs, indexes, crypto equities, Bitcoin ETFs, and futures. The platform emphasizes regime-based trading, where strategies dynamically adapt to shifting market conditions such as volatility cycles, macro environments, and liquidity changes, rather than relying on static algorithms. Key features include a Volatility Intelligence Engine for real time volatility monitoring, a Next Generation Backtesting Engine for strategy simulations across historical and synthetic scenarios, a no code strategy builder, AI powered agents for automation, a licensing marketplace for strategies, and real time risk management tools. It integrates with brokers like Tastytrade, Webull, TradeStation, and Tradier. The company has over 5,000 registered users, more than 75% monthly active engagement, over 200 paying subscribers, and more than 50 strategies licensed in its marketplace. It has filed 38 patent applications to protect its intellectual property in trading architecture. The leadership team includes Founder and CEO Shishu Bedi with over 25 years in trading and business development, COO Vinesh Goyal with more than 20 years in technology, and Board Member Ed Tilly, former CEO of the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE).

Option Circle has raised a total of $5.55 million across multiple rounds since its founding in 2020. The company is venture capital backed and currently generating revenue with approximately 20 employees.

The most recent funding round secured $3 million in a later stage venture capital structure. This round valued the company at approximately $43.97 million, with shares priced at $0.75 each during the crowdfunding component. The equity crowdfunding portion on StartEngine, which has since closed, raised $366,416.55 from 127 investors, with a minimum investment of $500.25 and a target range of $20,000 to $1.23 million. The overall round combines this crowdfunding with institutional and private contributions, marking a strategic blend of retail and professional investor participation to fuel growth.

The round featured prominent participants with deep expertise in finance and markets:

• Savoie Capital: An asset management firm led by CEO Paul Savoie, focusing on strategic investments in fintech and trading technologies.
• Wagon Wheel Capital: Led by CEO and Founder James Hyde, who previously served as NYSE Head of Strategic Partnerships and Co-Vice Chairman of the American Stock Exchange, bringing extensive exchange and market infrastructure experience.
• StartEngine Crowdfunding Investors: A group of 127 retail investors contributing through the platform, democratizing access to the company’s growth.
• Private Investors: An undisclosed group providing additional capital, likely aligned with the company’s fintech focus.

These investors not only provide capital but also strategic value, with Hyde’s background potentially aiding in regulatory navigation and partnerships, and Savoie’s firm offering insights into asset management integration.

Proceeds from the $3 million are allocated to accelerate the platform’s development and market entry. Specific initiatives include:

• Enhancing system integration with additional brokers and data sources.
• Improving execution governance and operational resilience to ensure reliable automated trading.
• Advancing the AI driven Strategy Engine as part of the autonomous platform roadmap.
• Supporting controlled commercial rollout, including marketing, user acquisition, and scaling to handle increased trading volumes. This focus aims to transition the platform from development to full commercialization, enabling broader adoption among retail and institutional traders seeking adaptive, emotion free trading solutions.

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This funding round positions Option Circle at the forefront of AI augmented fintech, particularly in the growing options trading sector, where retail participation has surged due to accessible tools and market volatility. By emphasizing regime-based adaptation, the platform addresses key pain points like emotional decision making and static strategy failures, potentially capturing market share from traditional brokers and algo trading providers. The involvement of seasoned investors like Hyde and Tilly signals confidence in the company’s ability to scale amid regulatory scrutiny on AI in finance. With existing user traction and patent protections, the capital injection could enable rapid iteration, such as expanding to futures trading and deepening AI capabilities, fostering long term revenue through subscriptions, strategy licensing, and premium features.

Looking ahead, Option Circle is poised for expansion in a market projected to see increased demand for autonomous trading amid economic uncertainties. Recent milestones, like the letter of intent with Market Rebellion and broker integrations, suggest potential for partnerships that could accelerate user growth beyond the current 5,000 registrants. If the platform successfully deploys its roadmap, it could achieve institutional grade performance for retail users, driving subscriber growth and marketplace activity. However, challenges such as market competition from established players like Robinhood or Thinkorswim, and the need for robust risk controls in volatile environments, will test execution. Overall, this round strengthens the company’s foundation for sustained innovation in adaptive trading technologies.

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