Drift is an AI research lab developing conversational AI for public institutions and law firms.
Based in Berlin, we research how conversational AI can strengthen people’s ability to understand their options and access the services they need. Our research focuses on compliance, professional oversight and integration with existing systems.
Press ↓ Meet the team ↓We want people to understand their options, exercise their rights and make informed decisions about their lives. Our research explores how conversational AI can strengthen that ability through the public institutions and law firms people rely on.
This means studying both the conversation and the service behind it: how people explain their circumstances, how professionals respond, and how organisations build the capacity to support them.
Through Drift-ai.org, our public-interest initiative, we connect migration information with access to independent lawyers.
Our work with people seeking immigration support informs the questions we bring to our research.
Explore our initiative ↗We work with organisations on development and implementation. Our projects include TalBot, an AI assistant commissioned by IHK Berlin to support employers recruiting international talent. We also provide strategic consulting and growth support to law firms, including VisaGuard.
Nia leads product development and the IHK relationship. Advait leads architecture, AI evaluation and testing. Burkhard brings experience in institutional services and employer support to our partnerships.
See the IHK project ↗Explore our work ↗Our team, board and advisors have built companies, led institutional services and worked at the organisations below.
Co-founder & CEO
Company strategy, product and partnerships.
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Co-founder & CTO
AI architecture, engineering and evaluation.
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Head of Partnerships · Public Sector
Institutional partnerships and international talent.
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Angel Investor & Fractional Legal Counsel
Legal counsel with a founder’s perspective.
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Board Member
Venture capital, entrepreneurship and inclusion.
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Angel Investor & Strategic Advisor
Strategy, leadership and migrant entrepreneurship.
View profile ↗Announcements on funding, projects and awards.
June 2026
Drift has won an IHK Berlin tender to develop TalBot, an AI assistant for employers recruiting international talent. The project focuses on making information about international recruitment easier for businesses to find and use.
13 December 2025
Drift received the Diversity & Inclusion Award at the Tech Awards Gala 2025. Berlin’s Deputy Mayor and Senator for Economic Affairs, Franziska Giffey, presented the award to founder Nia Rakheja. The ceremony was organised by WLOUNGE at Palais am Funkturm, Messe Berlin.
17 July 2025
Drift held its launch party at CIC Berlin on 17 July 2025. Hosted by Nia Rakheja and Lou Vaes, the evening marked the launch of Drift’s immigration service, combining AI support with access to independent lawyers.
May 2025
Drift has raised an angel round led by Unconventional Ventures, with participation from Impact Shakers, Dr. Daphne Hering, Gabriela Matic and Friedrich Jagow.
Programme news
Drift joined the Avant Now accelerator with support from the Berlin Startup Stipendium. The programme is funded by the State of Berlin and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus.
Press enquiries: hello@drift-ai.eu