Artificial intelligence firm ElevenLabs has opened headquarters in London.
Founded in 2022, remote-first firm ElevenLabs specialises in developing natural-sounding speech synthesis software using deep learning.
The company said it is ‘doubling down’ on the UK’s capital as a ‘centre for worldwide operations’.
It said London is the perfect place for its next phase of growth as it combines cultural diversity, access to talent and innovation, and proximity to other tech hubs. More than 300 languages are spoken in the city.
Co-founders Mati Staniszewski and Piotr Dabkowski attended UK universities and started their careers in London. The capital is its largest employee hub, with over 20 people already based there.
ElevenLabs, which employs staff in 15 countries throughout Europe, Asia, and North America, expects its headcount in London to grow to 40 within six months then over 100 in the coming years.
It is now opening physical hubs for staff who prefer to work in person, starting with the London office and soon to be followed by new spaces in New York and Warsaw, Poland.
“We can’t think of a better place to open our central hub,” said CEO Staniszewski. “My co-founder Piotr and I came to the UK to study over 10 years ago, and we’re continuously inspired by the people and the plethora of opportunities available.
“From AI safety to AI innovation, we’re excited to contribute to this vibrant ecosystem. As we build an international team spanning many countries, we’re happy to find a location that reflects our company’s culture while staying globally well-connected.”
ElevenLabs is also opening an incubator-style space in the building – located on Wardour Street in Soho – for startups and creatives that are incorporating AI audio into their work. Startups can apply for ElevenLabs credits, free office space and access to community events.
The firm engaged with London & Partners on the move.
Janet Coyle CBE, managing director of Grow London at London & Partners, said: “The fact that we have incredibly innovative companies like ElevenLabs choosing London for its European headquarters is not only a testament to the city’s thriving ecosystem but also to our solid AI credentials.
“Our research shows that over three-quarters (77%) of decision makers at international AI companies consider London to be more supportive of AI development than other major AI hubs. We’re thrilled to have ElevenLabs join us here and play an important part in developing the technology of tomorrow.”