Sentient.io

Sentient.io, a Singapore-based AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS) company founded in 2017, provides a platform designed to simplify the adoption of artificial intelligence for software developers, particularly those with limited AI expertise. The company was established by Christopher Yeo, a technopreneur with over 25 years of experience in the technology sector, including roles at Singapore Press Holdings' rednano.sg and the technology commercialization arms of A*STAR and NUS Enterprise. His background in computer science, mathematics, and previous startup ventures is central to Sentient.io's mission of making AI accessible.

The core of the business is the Sentient AI and Data Platform, which offers a catalog of over 60 pre-trained AI microservices available via API calls. This allows developers to integrate functionalities like voice recognition, natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, and data analytics into their applications without needing to build the underlying infrastructure. The company likens this model to assembling Lego blocks, enabling rapid development and deployment. One notable application of its technology includes a partnership with Mediacorp, Singapore's national broadcaster, to create speech-to-text solutions that improved transcription speed six-fold, and a project with a Japanese steel manufacturer to achieve 98.34% accuracy in defect detection. The platform also features "TeamSpaces," a collaborative workspace for teams to build, share datasets, and manage projects securely.

Sentient.io operates on a usage-based business model, where clients pay for the API services they consume. It also offers subscription plans and licensing fees for its TeamSpaces feature, available on both public cloud and on-premise setups. The company targets a broad range of clients, from software developers and startups to large enterprises and government agencies looking to accelerate their digital transformation. Since its inception, the company has secured over $7 million in funding through several rounds, including a Series A in May 2020 and a Series B1 in late 2021. Key investors include DG Ventures, Real Tech Holdings, BEENEXT, and the corporate venture arms of Asahi Broadcasting Group and Digital Garage Group. This funding has supported the company's expansion into the Asia-Pacific market, with a specific focus on Japan.

Keywords: AI as a Service, API platform, machine learning APIs, developer tools, natural language processing, computer vision, speech recognition, data analytics, AI microservices, Singapore AI startup, Christopher Yeo, digital transformation, Sentient AI and Data Platform, AI integration, enterprise AI, AI development, voice technology, AI algorithms, data-driven solutions, collaborative AI development