IBM Watson Places Strategic Investment in DataSkill
IBM Watson Group, launches “Champions for Growth”, and selects DataSkill as the first recipient. “We’re incredibly honored” said Nigel Hook, CEO DataSkill. “Last year IBM Watson launched the $100 million Ecosystem investment fund, but frankly you can get money from banks! Top Executive talent is the most precious, scarce resource. This is a game changer” stated Hook.
“Yesterday I was the Watson World Wide Executive for Strategic Alliances… today on the leadership team and driving growth for DataSkill” said Kathleen Grave. She went on to add “The Watson Group is rewriting the rules of technology and business. Why DataSkill? I’ve worked with them as an IBM Premier partner to win projects in Europe, Latin America and South-East Asia and have recognized their agility to quickly deliver innovative cognitive solutions. They are all about speed to value.”
This is IBM Corporation’s first Executive investment in North America through Champions for Growth. Kathleen Grave remains an IBM employee, but through the end of 2016 Kathleen is seconded full-time to DataSkill as their Senior Vice President, Client Engagement. This appointment is a very special recognition on many fronts. On DataSkill’s 30 year anniversary, February 2011, the company set about reinventing their future. This was well synchronized with Watson’s public victory on Jeopardy. That TV victory showcasing the power of Watson facilitated DataSkill to bring one of the Watson machines to the Super Data Conference in San Diego October 2011, the first partner to do that. The IBM Watson Group is recognizing DataSkill again next month with an invitation to present at WOW – World of Watson in New York.
“I’m confident Kathleen will be a catalyst in taking the next-generation solutions we’ve been developing for the past four years to market. I’m flattered IBM has recognized all the investments we have made with this reciprocation.” said Hook, adding “This is a turning point for me as my initial attraction to computing technology was inspired by Alan Turing, his Universal Machine and the possibilities of Artificial Intelligence. As I grew up in the neighborhood of Bletchley Park (home of the enigma code breaker), the major investment IBM has made in Watson aligns in harmony with DataSkill and me.”
DataSkill brings hybrid cognitive solutions to –
- Healthcare and life sciences / population health, personalized medicine, optimizing patient outcomes
- Financial / international money transfer, fraud prediction and prevention
- Call center / voice and wish of the customer.
DataSkill is a privately-owned company founded in 1981 and ranked by the San Diego Business Journal as the second largest Technology Solution Provider headquartered in San Diego.