Overview
Here’s a quick overview of companies in the AI consulting space—these are AI/technology-focused enterprises helping other companies use machine learning, automation, or generative AI in real-world applications:
Brain & Co.: A tech company building AI applications for large, real-world problems—not just research or demos. Their platform and tools aim to embed AI into mission-critical institutional workflows (like permitting, healthcare optimization, supply chain resilience, etc.) to deliver measurable impact.
Fractional AI: An AI engineering and transformation partner (based in San Francisco) that helps enterprises build and deploy custom generative AI solutions and automation workflows. They combine consulting with hands-on software engineering to integrate AI into business systems.
Ciridae: A newer AI services and engineering company focusing on redesigning enterprise workflows around AI. They help organizations map existing processes, build AI-enabled systems, and operate them in production.
Percepta: A General Catalyst Transformation Company—essentially a venture building and operating applied AI transformation teams embedded in enterprises.
Automic: A long-established enterprise automation platform (now part of Broadcom) used to orchestrate and automate large-scale IT and business processes.
Tribe AI: An enterprise AI strategy and services partner that builds custom AI solutions for large organizations. Tribe combines top AI talent with a services model to help clients implement AI at scale.
How They Differ—High-Level
Brain Co., Fractional AI, Ciridae, Tribe, and Percepta are all AI transformation & services companies helping businesses integrate AI beyond basic tools—often bespoke work or deep enterprise changes.
Automic is more of a classic enterprise automation platform that incorporates AI features.
Percepta is a venture-backed transformation company aimed at systemic organizational change with AI.
| Company | Business Model Type | What They Sell/Do | Primary Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brain & Co. | Product-led applied AI platform + enterprise solutions | Proprietary AI platform + industry-specific AI applications for high-impact operational problems | Large enterprises and governments |
| Fractional AI | AI services & consulting (engineer-centric) | Custom software engineering + AI consulting for bespoke generative AI solutions | Large enterprises and private equity clients |
| Ciridae | AI transformation services | Bespoke AI strategy + end-to-end transformation execution | Enterprises undergoing AI transformation |
| Percepta | AI transformation + embedded execution | Deeply embedded consultancy with engineers, researchers, and PMs inside client organizations | Large enterprises (healthcare, government, manufacturing, finance) |
| Automic | Software product + platform licensing | Enterprise automation and orchestration platform with AI enhancements | Large IT organizations |
| Tribe AI | AI services + talent network | Custom AI solution delivery from strategy to production-ready systems | Enterprises looking for outsourced AI teams |
Business Models in Detail
Product + Platform Focus (Less Consulting-Heavy)
Brain & Co.: Builds proprietary AI products tailored to specific industries and high-impact problems. Revenues come from enterprise engagements and platform deployments.
Automic: Traditional enterprise software model with licenses/subscriptions + support, focusing on automation and increasingly AI-enhanced workflows.
Services-First AI Transformation (Core Consulting)
Fractional AI, Ciridae, Tribe AI: All operate as AI transformation/implementation partners selling specialized services to take enterprises from strategy/POC to production. Revenue primarily from project fees, retainers, and bespoke engagements. They embed with teams, co-develop solutions, and deliver end-to-end customized implementations.
Embedded Model + Transformation Playbooks (Hybrid Consulting)
Percepta: Embeds teams inside client operations for longer-term, hands-on execution rather than just advising. Combines services + proprietary platform (Mosaic) to accelerate deployment and scale playbooks across clients.
Key Differences in Revenue & Delivery
| Aspect | Product/Platform | Service/Consulting | Hybrid Transformation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue Source | Software licensing + usage fees | Project fees, retainers | Embedded transformation + long-term value contracts |
| Value Delivery | Built products customers use directly | Custom solutions built for the client | Mix of tooling + execution embedded inside client |
| Scalability | High (product reuse) | Lower (bespoke work) | Medium (playbooks + client execution) |
| Typical Engagement Length | Ongoing | Project-based | Multi-year, strategic |
Founder Stories and Philosophies
| Company | Key Founders | Investors/Backers | Founding Philosophy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brain & Co. | Elad Gil, Jared Kushner, Dan Ashton | Series A led by Elad Gil & Affinity Partners; angels include Andrej Karpathy, Reid Hoffman | “Why aren’t the world’s most important institutions actually using AI to run better? The technology was clearly powerful, but it wasn’t reaching the places where it could matter most.” |
| Fractional AI | Travis May (CEO), Eddie Lou, Chris Minster | Seed funding ~$5M from Next Play Ventures, Reach Capital | “Companies excited about AI, stuck at pilots, and unable to ship reliable systems into production.” |
| Ciridae | Jack Soslow (ex-a16z), Jack Weissenberger | Early stage with a16z background | “AI is not a feature you bolt on. It is a new way of building companies… Strategy alone is insufficient. Execution alone is insufficient.” |
| Percepta | Hirsh Jain (CEO), Thomas Mathew, Athul Paul Jacob | General Catalyst (primary backer) | “Traditional consulting models are structurally incapable of delivering AI transformation… AI transformation requires builders embedded inside organizations.” |
| Automic | Historical founders (1985 origins) | Carlyle Group, EQT VI, Broadcom acquisition | “Automation was not about convenience—it was about reliability at scale.” |
| Tribe AI | Jaclyn Rice Nelson (CEO), Noah Gale | Seed ~$3.25M led by Indie.vc | “We saw incredible AI talent sitting on the sidelines, while companies didn’t know how to access or work with them… The goal was never slides—it was shipping.” |
Cross-Company Pattern: The Execution Bottleneck
Across Brain & Co., Ciridae, Percepta, Fractional AI, and Tribe, founders independently converge on the same thesis: The limiting factor in AI is not models—it is execution inside institutions.
Each company responds differently:
- Brain & Co. → Build proprietary applied AI products
- Ciridae → Strategy + execution as one unit
- Percepta → Embed builders inside organizations
- Fractional AI → Elite engineering delivery
- Tribe AI → Talent + delivery network
Private Equity Partnerships in AI Consulting Firms
Several firms have explicit partnerships with private equity (PE) firms to service their portfolios through AI diligence, audits, co-investments, and implementations.
Fractional AI (Partners with Multiple PE Firms)
- Model: Dedicated “For Private Equity” section, offering AI diligence during M&A, co-investments (10-30% equity), and custom implementations
- Key Evidence: PE testimonials, blog posts on “Private Equity is the Sleeping Giant of the Gen AI Boom,” press releases targeting PE for smarter deals
Tribe AI (Partners with PE Firms for Portfolio Strategies)
- Model: Full “AI for Private Equity” page helping PE firms “unlock portfolio value” through AI diligence, models, and custom builds
- Key Evidence: Case studies with top PE firms, blog posts on AI in PE, LinkedIn activity with major PE players
Ciridae (Partners with PE Firms for Portfolio Transformations)
- Model: Serves PE-backed companies with AI audits, diligence, and builds for EBITDA impact
- Key Evidence: Testimonials from PE-related clients, LinkedIn/X posts about transforming “largest private equity portfolio companies,” backing from a16z and General Catalyst
Notes on Others
- Brain & Co.: PE backers (Affinity Partners, Gil Capital) and clients, but no explicit portfolio servicing model
- Automic: No PE partnerships mentioned
- Percepta: Fully owned by General Catalyst (VC/PE firm) to service their portfolio and ecosystem
How Palantir Became the Model
Palantir’s business model serves as a blueprint for modern AI consulting firms, blending software platforms with deep service delivery.
1. Product + Service Hybrid
Palantir combines software platforms (Foundry, Gotham, AIP) with forward-deployed engineers and high-touch services to tailor solutions to client workflows.
2. Hyper-Focused Problem Solving & Deployment
Starts with mission-critical problems, embeds engineers with clients for rapid iteration and real impact—accelerating adoption and value realization.
3. Organic Growth Through Credibility
Word-of-mouth and product credibility drive adoption, expanding into adjacent markets once core solutions prove themselves.
4. Deep Client Embedding
Teams work inside client processes, not just advising from outside—creating sticky, long-term relationships.
5. Solution Customization
Each deployment is tailored to client data and workflows, not one-size-fits-all SaaS.
6. Tech-Led Delivery
Builds and ships software that solves hard problems, populated with technical talent rather than generalist consultants.
7. Scaling Through Adjacent Markets
Proves core platform in one domain, then expands to others (defense → commercial, intelligence → operations).
Why This Matters: Palantir’s model influenced modern AI firms to blend product tooling with technical delivery, embed engineers with clients, and focus on real impact before scaling. The result? Trusted technical delivery that attracts customers through credibility rather than sales teams.