US artificial intelligence (AI) company InsideSales.com has closed a successful $50m funding round, with immediate plans to open an Irish office and fill up to 120 jobs.
With $250m now raised from venture capital rounds, InsideSales.com is heading to Ireland. Bolstered by the latest quarter of that capital, the company’s EMEA operations will soon be supported by a substantial Irish office.
Planning to hire up to 120 people, InsideSales.com claims that its ultimate goal is the creation of a centre of excellence for AI and machine learning in Ireland.
In the meantime, the roles will support the company’s product development, engineering and sales operations, and will be filled in the coming three years.
The technology company also announced a new growth equity round of investment that included the participation of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, and signed a new partnership with Ireland’s Insight Centre for Data Analytics (ICDA).
“The expansion of our operations in Ireland signals the commitment we’re making both to Ireland and to expanding support for our growing international customer base,” said Martin Moran, international MD of InsideSales.com.
Saying the talent pool in Ireland is a leading attraction, Moran added that partnership with ICDA is also key to his company’s plans.
“We foresee a productive partnership between both Insight Centre’s researchers and our own, tackling both data-driven problems and immediate commercial opportunities.”
The current funding comes through a round led by returning investor Polaris Partners, with support from Microsoft, also a returning investor, and new investor QuestMark Partners.
Existing venture investors Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, US Venture Partners, Epic Ventures and Zetta Venture partners also participated.
“We’re excited to use this new investment to bring InsideSales’ technology to new geographies, new platforms, and to foster smart growth for companies of all sizes,” said Dave Elkington, CEO of the company.
“Over the past year, we’ve seen the buzz around AI reach a fever pitch. No other business based in Ireland has a focus on machine learning and data science like InsideSales.com does. We’re not only looking to hire some of Ireland’s best and brightest technology graduates, but also to help build a new, highly skilled industry in the region.”
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