Airtable Acquires Dopt to Bolster AI Talent
3 min read
Airtable has recently acquired Dopt, a startup known for creating onboarding experiences for new users. The deal aims to enhance Airtable’s AI capabilities.
Dopt is celebrated for its AI-based tools that aid in integrating new software features and user experiences. This acquisition is a strategic move by Airtable to stay ahead in the AI race.
Strategic Acquisition
Earlier this year, Dopt released several AI-driven features that caught Airtable’s eye. These tools were designed to help startups build intuitive onboarding experiences, making it easier for new users to navigate and use products effectively.
Howie Liu, Airtable’s co-founder and CEO, emphasized that this acquisition is primarily about talent. “When you do onboarding for many other companies, you develop a really good feel for how to make experiences really intuitive,” he said.
Slowdown and Strategy Shift
During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Airtable experienced hyper-growth. However, like many startups, the company saw a slowdown. Despite this, Liu stressed that Airtable continued to grow.
This period of slower growth prompted Airtable to reevaluate its strategies and make significant moves, like the acquisition of Dopt. According to Liu, being resource-constrained breeds creativity and forces companies to allocate resources wisely.
The Role of AI
AI is the central focus of Airtable’s current strategy. The company recently launched Airtable Cobuilder, which allows users to create apps by simply describing them in a chat interface.
Liu explained, “AI to me represents two things: making it easier for people to build software and lowering the floor for entry. We speculated about this back in the day and now it’s a reality.”
The Dopt team will join Airtable’s AI group, tasked with bringing additional AI capabilities to market and enhancing user experience. The acquisition will wind down Dopt’s services by August 15.
Investment Background
Before its acquisition, Dopt had raised $5.1 million in a seed round in 2022, with funding from Unusual Ventures, Designer Fund, and notable angels.
The financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed. However, the focus remains on integrating Dopt’s team to leverage their expertise in AI and user experience.
Airtable’s Vision
Airtable’s vision extends beyond just onboarding; it aims to revolutionize how software is built and used. The Cobuilder launch is a testament to this, making it easier for users to create apps without extensive coding knowledge.
By acquiring Dopt, Airtable is not just gaining valuable AI tools but also a team seasoned in making user experiences intuitive and seamless.
This move aligns with Airtable’s broader strategy of making software development accessible to a wider audience.
Market Impact
The acquisition is expected to have a significant impact on the market, especially for startups looking to improve their onboarding processes with AI-driven tools.
With Dopt’s team on board, Airtable aims to set a new standard for user experience in software development. This could potentially change how new software features are integrated and used across various platforms.
Conclusion
Airtable’s acquisition of Dopt is a strategic move to enhance its AI capabilities and improve user experiences.
This acquisition not only brings valuable AI tools but also a talented team to Airtable. It signifies a broader strategy to make software development more accessible and intuitive.
Airtable’s acquisition of Dopt marks a significant step in its AI strategy, aiming to revolutionize user onboarding and software development.
With Dopt’s expertise and innovative tools, Airtable is well-positioned to lead in making software accessible and intuitive.
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