DataRobot, a leader in Augmented Intelligence, is opening an operations center at Vantage Ventures in Morgantown, West Virginia.

According to Governor Jim Justice’s Office, the new complex will further the company’s mission to democratize AI through expanded hiring in software engineering, professional services, and customer support.

“We are excited to partner with WVU to explore a national center that could harness the power of AI to solve difficult problems like pandemic preparedness and the unique challenges facing rural healthcare. Along with West Virginia’s focus on pandemic and emergency preparedness and its commitment to modernization through the use of AI, I see long-term potential in bringing tech jobs to West Virginia,” said DataRobot CEO, Dan Wright.

In addition to opening its facility and hiring locally, DataRobot and West Virginia University are beginning to work together on the formation of a national center, based in West Virginia, that will provide technologically-focused solutions on critical pandemic and emergency response and preparedness and rural health.

“I could not be more excited that a great, forward-thinking company like DataRobot has decided to set up shop in West Virginia,” Governor Justice said. “Not only are they going to bring more great jobs to the ever-growing North Central West Virginia region, but having this company in our own backyard has the potential to be a complete game changer for the future of the health and well being of our people. Any move we can make to step up preparedness is a good move in my book.”

DataRobot has been supporting a number of critical efforts to beat COVID-19, including the development of a decision intelligence platform used by the federal government to identify the impacted communities from a national to county level, which provide models that identify and enable individuals unaware of virus spread to take action. DataRobot’s decision intelligence platform also provided key guidance for vaccine trial and testing strategies.

"As the country rebounds from the effects of COVID-19, it is exciting that DataRobot has committed to building a nationally recognized program to reduce health disparities in rural America in West Virginia,” said Sarah Biller, executive director of Vantage Ventures. “I am delighted that DataRobot recognizes the willing partners it has with WVU, private and public sector institutions in the state, and our network of funders and entrepreneurs, and incredible potential of West Virginia’s untapped talent. We are extraordinarily pleased to welcome another tech unicorn to Vantage Ventures and look forward to the opportunity it presents us to support DataRobot’s sophisticated data aggregation and AI capabilities to prepare the country for the next pandemic, and transform industries, such as energy, financial services, and infrastructure.”

Vantage Ventures, an initiative of the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at WVU, is leading an effort to welcome innovative fintech companies to the state.