DataRobot Acquires Zepl: Expanding AI Platform Capabilities

DataRobot Expands Platform with Zepl Acquisition

DataRobot, the automated machine learning startup headquartered in Boston, unveiled a series of new features and announcements today. These enhancements aim to cater to both users with extensive technical expertise and those with limited data science backgrounds.

A key component of this expansion is the acquisition of Zepl, which provides DataRobot with a sophisticated development environment. This allows data scientists to integrate their custom code directly within the DataRobot platform. The financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed by either company.

Broadening User Accessibility

Nenshad Bardoliwalla, SVP of Product at DataRobot, stated that the company’s objective is to establish itself as a leader in the automated machine learning market. He believes achieving this requires accommodating a wide range of user needs, from individuals with minimal data science knowledge to those proficient in coding with languages like Python and R.

“Users appreciate automation, but they also require flexibility. A purely automated system can be limiting. They need the ability to fine-tune parameters and exert control over the process,” Bardoliwalla explained.

Composable ML: Bridging the Gap

Rather than developing a coding environment independently, DataRobot opted to acquire Zepl and integrate its coding notebook into the platform. This new tool, called Composable ML, offers a robust environment for users who prefer to code.

“With Composable ML, and through the Zepl acquisition, we are now delivering a truly advanced environment for those who wish to utilize coding,” he added.

Zepl Integration and Future Plans

Founded in 2016, Zepl had previously secured $13 million in funding, as reported by Crunchbase. While the company has not revealed the number of employees or the specific purchase price, the acquisition significantly enhances DataRobot’s capabilities.

Specifically, it provides a dedicated notebook environment to attract more advanced users to the platform. DataRobot intends to integrate Zepl’s functionality into the core platform while also maintaining the standalone Zepl product.

Bardoliwalla emphasized that the Zepl acquisition complements the automated aspects of DataRobot. The tools are designed to work collaboratively, combining the strengths of machine learning systems with human expertise to generate optimal models.

“This fosters a synergistic blend of the best results from DataRobot’s AutoML capabilities and the insights of human data scientists, composing them into something truly innovative,” Bardoliwalla stated.

New Features for All Users

DataRobot is also launching a no-code AI app builder. This empowers non-technical users to create applications from datasets using a simple drag-and-drop interface.

Furthermore, a new tool is being introduced to continuously monitor model accuracy. Model performance can degrade over time as the underlying data changes. This tool tracks data accuracy and alerts teams when performance begins to decline.

Finally, the company is releasing a model bias monitoring tool. This tool helps identify and mitigate potential biases within models that could lead to discriminatory outcomes.

The tool detects bias during both model development and production, providing warnings and suggestions for model adjustments to eliminate bias.

Company Background

DataRobot is based in Boston and was established in 2012. The company has raised over $750 million in funding and currently holds a valuation exceeding $2.8 billion, according to PitchBook data.