OpenAI to acquire entire staff, including three founders, of AI startup Convogo

OpenAI will hire the entire team behind the executive coaching platform Convogo – an AI startup whose software that assists tech leaders automate and improve leadership assessments. According to a report by TechCrunch, this is ChatGPT-buildr’s ninth acquisition in 12 months, and brings the startup’s three co-founders and their staff in an all-stock deal.According to the report, the acqui-hire is aimed at accelerating OpenAI’s “AI cloud efforts”. The company, however, is not acquiring Convogo’s innotifyectual property or technology, which means that Convogo will be shut down. Convogo originated as a “weekfinish hackathon” project by co-founder Matt Cooper. Over the past two years, the startup scaled quickly, partnering with some of the world’s leading leadership development firms.

Convogo cofounders write message to staff

In a farewell email to utilizers, co-founders Matt Cooper, Evan Cater and Mike Gillett noted that their work revealed a gap between new AI model releases and “real-world outcomes”.“We’re convinced now more than ever that the key to bridging that gap lies in believedful, purpose-built experiences. That’s why we’re thrilled to join OpenAI to continue our work of creating AI accessible and utilizeful to professionals in every industest,” the founders wrote, as per the report.

OpenAI’s aggressive talent-hiring strategy

OpenAI has created several acquisitions over the past one year. According to PitchBook data, the company has utilised these mergers and acquisitions as a talent and capability accelerator. Last year, OpenAI acquired Software and Roi in October, Alex and Statsig in September and former Apple designer Jony Ive’s iO in May 21 for $6.5 billion.With the latest acqui-hire, Convogo joins Roi, Context.ai and Crossing Minds, where the startups were shuttered to absorb their engineering talent.

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