AI start-up on recruitment boost

Amplyfi, an artificial intelligence start-up, has unveiled plans to create forty new jobs at its headquarters after receiving support from the Welsh Government.

The Cardiff-based start-up, which specialises in mining and interpreting data from the deep web using artificial intelligence, was recently awarded with a £400,000 loan from the government.

It’s a zero per cent interest loan from the government’s Repayable Fund, and will let the company hire more highly skilled staff in a bid to refine its business intelligence platform DataVoyant.

This news comes after the company raised money from investors at Finance Wales, the Welsh Government’s investment arm, to accelerate its growth in Wales.

Amplyfi moved to Cardiff in December 2015, where it has been creating an AI platform called DataVoyant. The latter combines surface and deep web data mining, an industry first.

A pilot program, which included a select few of some of the world’s biggest companies, saw the platform tested in areas such as  aerospace and defence, banking, energy, insurance, private equity, pharma and professional services.

The firm is also taking part on Entrepreneurial Spark business acceleration program, which is being run by NatWest and backed by KPMG, Dell EMC and Pinsent Masons.

Ken Skates, the economy cabinet secretary, said: “Amplyfi is a cutting-edge technology start-up that has already demonstrated world-class capability.

“I am delighted to have met with the team and hear of the company’s planned growth as well as the new high quality jobs it will be creating.

“Funding support will help Amplyfi accelerate DataVoyant’s commercialisation and ramp up their sales and development teams.

“Amplyfi’s growth and global outlook clearly demonstrates the opportunities on offer in Wales to fast-moving tech companies looking to base themselves here.”

Chris Ganje, co-founder and CEO of Amplyfi, said: “The Welsh Government’s £400,000 loan is a  great opportunity for us. We will leverage this funding to on-board some of the brilliant software engineers and programmers  we’ve already met.

“This is exactly the kind of support that will continue to foster local entrepreneurship, but also attract more technology companies to Wales.”