LOS ALTOS, Calif. — Aug. 17, 2026 — Palona AI has unveiled its multimodal AI operating layer built specifically for physical businesses, with restaurants serving as its first proof market. The platform is already deployed with operators including Din Tai Fung, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Giordano’s, Rooted Hospitality and Cali BBQ, and the company says the underlying architecture is designed to extend to any physical business where customers and frontline teams interact.
The Funding
Alongside the product unveiling, Palona closed its Series A, bringing total funding raised to $20 million, including converted SAFEs. The round drew participation from Ardenwood Ventures, CrimsonOx, UpHonest, Turbo, Llama Ventures, Neo, Fusion Fund, Defy, and investor Maynard Webb, along with other institutional, strategic and individual backers…