Data Intellect
Data Intellect is a specialist data analytics and data science services business supporting global financial institutions.
Sector
Business & Technology Services
Status
Current
Investment Date
2021
Location
UK, US, Singapore, Hong Kong
Buy & Build
1
Investment background
Headquartered in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Data Intellect was founded as AquaQ Analytics in 2011 by Ronan Pairceir and James Bradley. With extensive industry experience behind them, they wanted to build a business that could provide clients with high-quality data analytics and technical expertise. In the years that followed, the business experienced fast yet solid growth, and keen to further scale and develop AquaQ's services, the founders wanted an investor that understood their business, their market, and had a proven track record of supporting strategic growth.
Over a period of three years, Sovereign tracked the business, and in April 2021 an investment was agreed.
The story so far
Rebranded as Data Intellect in 2023, the company today has a presence in London, New York, Toronto, Singapore and Hong Kong. It employs more than 260 people, works with nine of the world's top 10 global investment banks, five of the top 10 hedge funds, and a number of financial exchanges, sovereign wealth funds, utility companies and digital assets firms.
Alongside its own proprietary suite of software tools, Data Intellect offers a range of consulting services:
- Kdb+ and Big Data: helping clients optimise, develop and maintain their database technologies, and take advantage of advanced data and analytics
- Data science: including data aggregation and AI
- Software development: including implementation, engineering and development, training, and ongoing maintenance and support
- Project management: in data analytics and other technical areas
There has also been significant investment in Data Intellect’s leadership team. Steve Turner joined as CEO, bringing with him more than 30 years' experience working in the technology, financial services and capital markets consultancy sector, and Guy Warren, the former CEO of technology business ITRS, was appointed Non-Executive Chair.
The business continues to grow its client base and expand its international footprint, deepening its presence in North America and building its business development capability in Asia.
It’s the people at Sovereign that really make the difference - they take the time to get to know you and the business. They supported us in building a strong platform for growth, bringing constructive challenge and a forward‑looking mindset, while giving the management team the freedom to run the business and stay focused on where we’re going over the long term.
