A rapidly expanding artificial intelligence software company has announced plans to double its UK workforce following one of the largest funding rounds for AI in history.
The company secured $101 million (£80 million) in a Series C round, bringing its total funding to nearly $150 million. Over the past 18 months, it has solidified a strong presence in the UK.
Expanding Workforce
The New York-headquartered company, known for its AI and data science solutions, currently employs 210 people globally. Half of its workforce is based in France, with 60 in the US and 20 in London. The company aims to at least double its UK team this year, using this expansion as a platform to further build its user base.
New London Headquarters
The organisation’s UK staff are presently working from a WeWork shared office. However, there are plans to open a dedicated office in central London soon. This new office will serve as a local hub for data science, fostering AI education and innovation.
Despite uncertainties surrounding Brexit, the company’s VP of strategy expressed confidence. He stated that Brexit is not expected to negatively impact their ambitious development plans for the UK.
Diverse Client Base
With over 200 global customers, the company serves a wide range of sectors, including retail, eCommerce, healthcare, finance, and transportation.
Their software enables company-wide transformations through data science, AI, and machine learning tools. Engaging all stakeholders effectively ensures that data science innovations create substantial impacts throughout a business.
Competitive Advantage Through Data
The company believes that augmenting business operations with data science offers a significant competitive edge.
According to their VP of strategy, companies that adopt data science transformations are better equipped to improve decision-making and outperform competitors.
He argued that businesses embracing this change are more likely to thrive, as efficient use of data enhances every decision made.
Growth Beyond Borders
The organisation is keen to expand its customer base in the UK and beyond.
The VP of strategy emphasized the significant market potential in the UK, particularly in London, for large-scale data augmentation initiatives.
Financial services, in particular, represent a strong growth area, given London’s status as a global leader in this sector.
Strategic Vision
“We’re planning on opening a new HQ in the UK hopefully by the end of the first quarter,” he said. “We don’t anticipate Brexit on having a negative impact on the development plan we have for the UK.”
He further added, “We are massively hiring there,” reinforcing the company’s commitment to UK expansion.
Conclusion
In summary, the firm is set on significantly expanding its presence in the UK following a major funding boost. With plans for a new London headquarters and a doubling of its workforce, the company is poised for substantial growth.
The company’s ambitious plans underline a strong commitment to the UK market, despite the looming uncertainties of Brexit.
This bold move is aimed at leveraging AI and data science to transform businesses, positioning the organisation as a leader in the field.