Growth Catalyst Partners (GCP), a U.S.-based private equity firm specializing in information, marketing, and tech-enabled services, has acquired InspiredMinds!, the world’s largest community of AI leaders and innovators.
The move marks a significant milestone for both organizations, as InspiredMinds! prepares to scale its influential AI summits and robust community into the U.S. market.
InspiredMinds!, founded in 2017 by AI entrepreneur Sarah Porter, has built a global reputation as a leader in ethical AI development and innovation.
Its extensive community spans over 300,000 professionals across 160+ countries, connecting government officials, researchers, tech giants, startups, and NGOs. Known for premier events such as World Summit AI and Intelligent Health, InspiredMinds! has been a driving force in advancing responsible AI adoption and shaping global policies.
“As the most influential and connected AI community in the world, nothing we do is status quo,” said Porter, InspiredMinds!’ CEO and Founder.
“With the support of Growth Catalyst Partners, we are poised to supercharge our community’s work, focusing critically on equitable AI and its opportunities for the future world.”
Advancing Responsible AI Innovation
The acquisition will integrate InspiredMinds! into GCP’s Data Society Group, a U.S.-based platform dedicated to workforce development through data and AI. InspiredMinds! will continue to operate independently but will collaborate with Data Society Group to expand its reach, with plans to launch U.S.-based AI summits in 2025.
“InspiredMinds! is a nexus for the brightest minds and industry leaders in AI,” said Connor Dawson, Managing Director at GCP. “By aligning its mission with Data Society Group, we believe the combined entity will become an essential resource for AI and data leaders globally.”
Doug Llewellyn, CEO of Data Society Group, praised Porter’s leadership and the strategic impact of InspiredMinds!. “Together, we will empower future leaders to harness AI’s transformative potential across societal sectors,” Llewellyn said.
Global Reach and Influence
InspiredMinds! has established itself as a key advisor to organizations like the United Nations and European Union, influencing global AI policies. Its events, held in major cities such as Amsterdam, London, Doha, and Basel, have drawn top-tier participants driving innovation and regulation in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
The acquisition reflects GCP’s ongoing strategy to invest in growth sectors and build market-leading companies. “This partnership underscores the pivotal role of InspiredMinds! in advancing responsible AI innovation and fostering global collaboration,” Dawson added.
A Shared Vision for Equitable AI
With AI adoption accelerating at an unprecedented pace, the collaboration between GCP, Data Society Group, and InspiredMinds! positions the latter to lead critical conversations about the ethical implications of AI.
Porter emphasized the importance of these efforts: “This is a critical moment for human-AI collaboration. Our expanded platform will amplify the voices driving transformative innovation and ensure AI serves the greater good.”