As reported by Techcabal, Ghana-based artificial intelligence (AI) startup Aya Data has successfully raised $900,000 in a seed round to scale its data collection and annotation services. This round, a mix of debt and equity, was led by 54Collective with contributions from angel investors. The new funding will be instrumental in expanding the company’s two flagship products—AyaGrow and AyaSpeech—as well as bolstering its workforce.

With this recent capital infusion, Aya Data’s total funding has reached $1.15 million. The company had previously raised $255,000 from a combination of Microtraction, Savannah Fund, and Scott Bell, reflecting sustained investor confidence in its growth trajectory.

Driving AI Innovation in Africa

Founded in 2021 by Freddie Monk and Ama Larbi-Siaw, Aya Data has swiftly positioned itself as a key player in the burgeoning AI ecosystem across Africa. The startup specializes in providing data annotation and collection services, which are crucial for training large language models (LLMs) such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Aya Data’s expertise lies in accurately labeling data—ranging from images and videos to text—used by AI systems.

Aya Data not only contributes to AI development globally but also fosters local talent by training its employees in technical fields such as data engineering and data science. This emphasis on workforce development highlights the company’s commitment to building sustainable local expertise in Ghana.

Focused Product Expansion

The funding will be used to scale Aya Data’s two flagship products: AyaGrow and AyaSpeech. AyaGrow is an AI-powered crop and field monitoring solution aimed at enhancing precision agriculture for commercial and smallholder farmers. By providing AI-driven insights, AyaGrow enables farmers to optimize productivity and resource usage.

AyaSpeech, on the other hand, is a speech-to-speech solution designed to support communication in local African languages. This end-to-end solution enables businesses, governments, and consumers to interact more effectively, breaking down language barriers across the continent.

According to co-founder and COO Ama Larbi-Siaw, Aya Data’s mission is to address Africa’s most pressing challenges by leveraging AI. “We are dedicated to building local expertise that can leverage AI to tackle the continent’s most pressing challenges,” Larbi-Siaw stated, underscoring the company’s broader vision.

Competing in a Global AI Ecosystem

Aya Data operates within a competitive global market, providing services alongside major data annotation companies like Shaip, Sama, iMerit, Cloudfactory, and Dataloop. Large tech companies like Meta and OpenAI frequently outsource their data labeling and annotation tasks to firms in developing regions, where Aya Data stands out for its ability to provide fast, efficient, and localized services.

Unlike many competitors, Aya Data retains full control of its operations in Ghana, enabling the company to deliver services without relying on third-party contractors. This operational independence, as noted by Gillian Hammah, Marketing and Strategy Officer at Aya Data, allows the company to complete projects with greater speed and efficiency. “Because we control everything in Ghana, we can deliver faster and more efficiently without the risk of involving third parties,” Hammah explained.

In addition to data annotation, Aya Data offers custom AI solutions tailored to businesses’ specific needs. As a consultancy, the company competes with firms like Brainpool.ai, Deeper Insights, and Faculty AI, which often outsource their data collection processes to developing economies.

Strong Revenue Growth and Client Base

Aya Data’s business model, which charges fees for data annotation services, has proven lucrative. In 2023, the startup generated $500,000 in revenue and currently boasts a client list of over 20 active partners, including prominent names such as MIT, Seedtag, Unilever, Labelbox, and Nvidia.

While the majority of its revenue has historically come from global clients, the company is increasingly focusing on helping African businesses adopt AI-driven solutions to boost their competitiveness. Aya Data is keen on playing a critical role in advancing Africa’s AI capabilities.

Building Local Expertise for the Future

Aya Data’s vision extends beyond short-term business goals. The company aims to train 1,000 data annotators, engineers, and scientists in the coming months to meet the rising demand for skilled professionals in the AI space. By building a robust pipeline of AI talent, Aya Data seeks to ensure that world-class technology development is possible in Ghana and similar emerging markets.

Ultimately, Aya Data’s co-founders are committed to ensuring that Africa can keep pace with global developments in AI. “We are working to enable as many businesses and people to benefit from AI as quickly as possible and to ensure that the ability to build this technology to a world-class standard exists in Ghana and other similar markets,” Larbi-Siaw emphasized.

Aya Data’s latest funding round is a testament to the growing confidence in African AI startups. By scaling its AI-driven products and nurturing local talent, the company is not only contributing to the global AI ecosystem but also fostering the development of AI solutions tailored to Africa’s unique challenges. As the startup continues to expand its services and products, Aya Data is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI on the continent and beyond.