In today's fast-paced business world, finding the right expertise can be a daunting task. Enter Ethos, a London-based startup that aims to revolutionize the expert network game with its innovative use of AI and voice technology. With a recent funding boost of $22.75 million, led by a16z, Ethos is poised to disrupt the traditional expert search landscape.
The Problem with Current Expert Networks
When companies seek advice or opinions, they often turn to platforms like LinkedIn or established expert networks. However, the current system falls short in delivering quality inputs. The issue lies in the reliance on job titles and basic forms to match experts with companies. This approach fails to capture the diverse skill sets and knowledge domains that experts possess beyond their job descriptions.
Ethos' Voice-Powered Solution
Ethos takes a fresh approach by leveraging AI and voice technology to enhance the expert onboarding process. By conducting voice-based interviews, Ethos gathers a wealth of data about an expert's knowledge and skills, going beyond what a simple job title can convey. This allows for more accurate matching between companies and experts, ensuring that the right expertise is connected to the right projects.
For instance, Ethos can help a pharma company find doctors who not only specialize in a specific area but also have written papers or possess an understanding of drug development. This level of specificity is a game-changer for companies seeking niche expertise.
The Power of Voice Communication
Anish Acharya from a16z believes that voice is the key to unlocking the true potential of expert networks. He argues that job titles provide shallow signals, whereas Ethos' voice interview process captures sub-specializations and curates questions to gather valuable insights.
"Voice is the original form of human communication. Most people struggle to articulate their story accurately and compellingly in writing. Ethos' voice-based approach is a significant advantage," Acharya explains.
Scaling the Expert Network
Ethos was founded by James Lo and Daniel Mankowitz, who bring unique perspectives to the problem of building an expert network. Lo, with his background in McKinsey and SoftBank, understands the importance of providing economic opportunities, while Mankowitz, an AI researcher from DeepMind, views the economy as a knowledge graph that can be matched using algorithms.
Lo highlights the shift in focus from job titles to specific skills and capabilities. He believes that as the human and agent economies merge, the demand for precise expertise will grow.
Beyond expert data, Ethos also analyzes public sources like blogs and academic papers, and utilizes social links to connect companies with the right talent. The company's use of voice agents for interviews and insight extraction sets it apart from competitors like Listen Labs and Outset.
Client Base and Growth
While Ethos maintains discretion about its client base, it boasts top hedge funds, private equity firms, leading AI labs, and enterprise consulting firms as users. The company charges a per-project fee of 30% or more, and is on track for an eight-figure annualized revenue. With approximately 35,000 new experts joining weekly, Ethos is experiencing rapid growth.
One of the startup's challenges is growing its expert user base to meet client demands. However, the rise of AI labs mapping human talent presents an opportunity. As these labs develop professional services in various sectors, they will require a diverse range of experts to build and refine their models.
Conclusion
Ethos' innovative approach to expert networking, powered by AI and voice technology, has the potential to transform how companies access specialized knowledge. By focusing on skills and capabilities rather than job titles, Ethos is paving the way for a more efficient and accurate expert search process. With its recent funding and a growing expert network, Ethos is well-positioned to become a leading player in the expert network space.
