Denki, a San Francisco startup founded in 2025 by brothers Felipe (24) and David Jin Li (20), has raised $4.1 million to develop AI-powered software aimed at automating the financial audit process for public companies. With a goal to modernize audits—which traditionally involve labor-intensive evidence gathering—Denki’s platform enables faster evidence review, enhanced documentation, and more rigorous testing of controls, helping companies better comply with financial regulations while cutting costs. The funding round was co-led by Base10 Partners and Shine Capital, with participation from Y Combinator (which Denki attended in fall 2025), 20VC, and others. The Jin Li brothers bring strong technical backgrounds: Felipe focuses on explainable AI and David has experience in financial data management. Denki aims to replace Excel-based audit methods with more reliable software solutions that reduce risks like AI-generated fraud. Currently a two-person team, the startup plans to expand with the new capital to meet growing demand amid increasing regulatory scrutiny and penalties for audit failures.
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