Startup Success: Taking artificial intelligence a step further

October 29, 2018 12:00 am • Last Updated: October 29, 2018 8:58 am

By Emma Palzere-Rae, Special to The Times

When we think of artificial intelligence, we picture futuristic robots. Yet AI is being used by most of us every day — whenever we order an Uber, or ask Siri a question.

Local resident Gill Eapen has worked in artificial intelligence for 30 years using AI to provide predictive and economic analysis to advise companies. Recently, he has taken this work and developed a cloud-based application that can be adapted to many arenas. ‘We are the world’s first and only fully-integrated cloud-based predictive and decision analytics platform,” said Eapen. “When we work with a company, we help them reduce costs and risks, improve revenue and profits and enhance enterprise value.”

The Decision Options platform works for businesses of any size and industry, including aerospace, energy, finance, high technology, legal, life sciences and manufacturing. “The AI platform is truly horizontal,” Eapen said.

But the transition from consulting about AI to producing a software product using the technology is somewhat like starting over. In order to scale the business, personnel and capital are needed.

Eapen is committed to keeping the company based in southeastern Connecticut. Raising capital and getting business support here have been challenging, but there is no lack of seasoned senior professionals in the area.

Decision Options currently has joint ventures with a few companies in the UK, Texas and Vermont; in areas such as oil and gas, consumer marketing, and healthcare. The platform is being utilized by primary care and behavioral health organizations, manufacturing companies and law firms.

Collaboration is key to Eapen. On Nov. 15, he will be part of a panel discussion hosted by Ignite that will feature a startups working in AI. No doubt, when these entrepreneurs are in the same room, there will be no absence of real, human intelligence.

Emma Palzere-Rae is the Ignite Program Manager for Thames River Innovation Place. If you are an entrepreneur looking for support, please visit IgniteThamesRiver.org for information on programs and resources.