Paradox buys people analytics platform Eqtble to drive AI vision

“AI is clearly the future in talent acquisition and HR – and AI is nothing without a very strong data foundation.”

That’s how conversational AI leader Paradox’s CEO Adam Godson describes the company’s decision to buy Eqtble, a people analytics platform, to UNLEASH.

This is Paradox’s third acquisition since it was founded in 2016 – however, it is the first purchase with Godson at the helm; he become Paradox CEO in March 2024, after a few years as Chief Product Officer.

The financial terms of the purchase were not disclosed. As a result of the deal, the entire Eqtble team will join Paradox and there already work going on their AI product vision as a joint company.

There was no special timing for this acquisition, “instead, a clear opportunity to bring a great team and product into Paradox”, Godson tells UNLEASH.

A match made in AI heaven?

For Godson, this is a very “strategic” purchase.

He sees the acquisition as supporting “our vision for how AI can continue to drive impact and outcomes for our clients – specifically around how the data foundation and insights Eqtble can drive will allow our clients to make smarter, faster decisions around their people needs, hiring process, and overall workforce strategy”.He sees the acquisition as supporting “our vision for how AI can continue to drive impact and outcomes for our clients – specifically around how the data foundation and insights Eqtble can drive will allow our clients to make smarter, faster decisions around their people needs, hiring process, and overall workforce strategy”.

Currently, Paradox serves over 1,000 clients, including IHG Hotels, Kraft Heinz, FedEx, McDonalds, Tui and 7-Eleven, while Eqtble works with Discord, WeWork, Telus and Brightcove.

Godson shares: “Eqtble is a company built on client-obsession and thinking about solving existing problems in unique ways.

“People Analytics has been around for a while, but they’re bringing a new lens to it – and we saw a clear opportunity to apply that innovation to the many millions of data points our clients are generating every day, and deliver people intelligence through a simpler, more seamless experience that’s driven by conversational AI.”

For HR industry analyst and Founder of Aptitude Research Madeline Laurano, this acquisition by Paradox provdes it is “far more than just a talent acquisition solution – it is a company with a bold vision for AI-driven workforce intelligence”.For HR industry analyst and Founder of Aptitude Research Madeline Laurano, this acquisition by Paradox provdes it is “far more than just a talent acquisition solution – it is a company with a bold vision for AI-driven workforce intelligence”.

Writing on LinkedIn, Laurano shares three key themes that make the purchase of Eqtble so “significant” – “Paradox is not a point solution”, “AI is the future of HR tech” and “people analytics needs to be available to every company in a simple way”.

Talking about the news, Eqtble’s CEO and Co-Founder Joseph Ifiegbu shared: “We’re thrilled to help accelerate Paradox’s mission and AI vision, bringing powerful people insights to the fingertips of talent acquisition and HR leaders — all through the simple, frictionless conversational experiences that make Paradox so special.”