Forbes reports that Dr. Benjamin Harvey, hailing from Jacksonville, FL, took a bold step in advancing artificial intelligence (AI) by liquidating his retirement accounts.
Early Exposure and Education
Growing up in a family of seven, Harvey’s interest in technology stemmed from his father, a pastor and AT&T project manager, who often brought home malfunctioning computers for repair.
He pursued his passion, earning a computer science degree from HBCU Mississippi Valley State University in 2008, and later obtaining a master’s degree and Ph.D. in the same field between 2010 and 2015.
Career Path and Insights
Harvey’s career included a pivotal role as chief of operations data science at the National Security Agency (NSA), where he noticed a gap in the market regarding data and analytics.
Launching AI Squared
In 2021, Harvey founded AI Squared to address the challenge of transitioning AI models from development to production.
AI Squared’s Solution
AI Squared’s platform addresses the issue of low ROI in AI deployment, enabling organizations to integrate data or machine-learning insights into their tools and applications efficiently.
Risk and Reward
Harvey took a significant financial risk by withdrawing $500,000 from his retirement account and maxing out his credit card to fund AI Squared. The gamble paid off when the company raised $6 million in a seed round in 2022.
Series A Funding
On April 17, 2024, AI Squared announced a $13.8 million Series A round, led by Ansa Capital and including participation from existing investors NEA and Ridgeline.
Expansion and Leadership
The investment will support AI Squared in advancing its platform and expanding its team, which includes key members such as Alvin McClerkin, Jacob Renn, Ph.D., Michelle Bonat, and Jimmy Oyeniyi.
Strategic Board Additions
Allan Jean-Baptiste and Roger W. Ferguson Jr. will join AI Squared’s board, bringing valuable expertise to guide the company’s growth.
Market Potential
Ansa Capital sees a significant market opportunity for AI Squared to simplify AI integration into existing workflows and tools, facilitating faster time-to-value for AI investments.
Source: AfroTech
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