Tim Latham tells us how Sheffield’s ‘supportive business community, talented workforce and beautiful surroundings’ helped him found AI solutions firm datatrainer
I was inspired to start my business by …
The extensive research I did into this amazing new technology called Artificial Intelligence – specifically the ‘Made Smarter Review’ published at the end of 2017 and led by Professor Juergen Maier, the CEO of Siemens UK. As a key emerging digital technology, the potential of AI is enormous, but there are a variety of issues limiting its adoption. I have created datatrainer to help address and overcome these issues for organisations across the region.
My favourite thing about running my business is …
Designing ground-breaking AI solutions that enable clients to find key insights and efficiencies in their organisations data that they simply didn’t realise was there.
The three words that best describe my business are …
Accessible, bespoke, solutions.
Sheffield City Region is a great place to start a business because …
It’s where I grew up and although I studied and worked away for a good few years, I never stopped thinking of Sheffield as home. As well as family and friends, I’ve found a supportive business community, a talented workforce, and beautiful surroundings.
Sheffield City Region is a great place to grow a business because …
There are a wide variety of organisations that I think can benefit from our support across the SCR and its also a good base from which to access clients across the country.
The best advice I ever got was …
Believe in yourself. If you are confident in your logic and research, listen to others’ opinions by all means, but in the end trust your own judgement and just get on and make it happen.
The worst advice I ever got was …
Never quit. In one way it’s of course a positive sentiment, but I have found myself in a few situations where the reality meant that genuine success was simply not attainable. If that’s the case, don’t be scared to change tack and take a different road.
The organisations that have supported me and my business include …
The Kollider / Barclays Eagle Labs teams at the Technology Incubator I am based in have been very supportive. My key delivery partners at Jaywing are outstanding at every level and I am thrilled to be working with them to grow our respective businesses together.
The main challenges facing my industry/sector are …
Awareness and adoption. My first task when talking to potential clients is often explaining the potential benefits of AI to the point where they can see it’s a relevant option for them. The next is finding a pinch point or opportunity in the organisation where we can start to show its value without risking too much to the existing business operations. From there additional, more extensive and complex opportunities can be addressed.
In 5 years’ time I expect my business to …
Be fully integrated, trusted expert advisors to our established clients around the SCR while still talking to new and interesting local organisations about how AI can help them, but also taking our proven business to other regions across the country.