Sama provides high-quality training data that powers AI applications and is developing what it calls the first end-to-end platform for the AI data lifecycle. The company launched Sama Machine Learning Assisted Annotation MicroModels and one-click human-in-the-loop validation to combine ML with human accuracy. Sama's goal is to remove fragmentation in the data pipeline so datasets can be ingested, annotated with high accuracy, and fed into models with minimal transformation. The company works with customers including Google, Walmart and Nvidia and reports 13x monthly recurring revenue growth since CEO Wendy Gonzalez joined six years ago. Sama is the only certified B Corp in the AI infrastructure space and says it has helped 56,000 people, hiring expert labelers from East Africa, 50% of whom are women, as part of its social mission. Future plans include accelerating coverage of the AI data pipeline, launching in Europe and later Asia Pacific, building out operations, and reducing bias through more representative labeling. Samasource supplies Fortune 100 companies with machine-learning training data and validation services across fields including autonomous transportation, e-commerce and communications. The company operates a global workforce of data specialists — many located in East Africa — and reports a global staff of about 2,900, making it the largest AI and data-annotation employer in East Africa. Clients include Google, Continental, Walmart and Ford, and revenue is generated primarily through its annotation and validation services. As part of its recent raise, Samasource plans to upgrade features of its SamaHub training data platform, opened an AI Development Center in Montreal, and expanded its digital delivery center in Kampala. The company increased Kampala headcount to 90 and plans to grow that by 150% in 2020. Founded as a nonprofit in 2008 by Leila Janah, Samasource converted to for-profit status in 2019, with the prior nonprofit remaining a shareholder.

Total raised

$85M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Nov 2021