As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes industries from finance to healthcare, the consulting world has remained surprisingly reliant on outdated tools and workflows. London-based startup Riplo is aiming to change that narrative by building an agentic operating system designed specifically for the consulting industry. The company has now secured £2.3 million in pre-seed funding to accelerate development and bring AI-driven collaboration into the core of consulting work.
Backed by Leading Investors and Industry Experts
The funding round was led by Cherry Ventures, with additional support from Blue Lion Capital, as well as founders of QuantumBlack and a network of angel investors from the technology and professional services sectors.
This diverse investor base reflects strong confidence in Riplo’s vision to modernise consulting workflows using artificial intelligence. The backing also brings valuable expertise from both AI and consulting domains, positioning the company well for early growth.
Rethinking Consulting for the AI Era
The global consulting industry, valued at over $1 trillion, still largely operates on legacy systems designed for human-only workflows. Despite the rise of advanced AI tools, many consulting processes continue to rely on static documents, manual analysis, and fragmented collaboration methods.
Riplo is addressing this gap by creating a platform where AI agents and human consultants can work together seamlessly. Instead of treating AI as a separate tool, the company integrates it directly into the workflow, enabling real-time collaboration.
According to co-founder and CEO Tobias Haefele, the industry is still operating on what he describes as the digital equivalent of a typewriter. Riplo’s goal is to provide a new interface where strategic thinking and analysis can evolve through continuous interaction between humans and intelligent systems.
An Agent-First Approach to Workflows
At the core of Riplo’s platform is an agent-first interface that allows AI agents to actively participate in consulting tasks. These agents can assist with structuring analyses, drafting reports, refining insights, and iterating on complex workstreams.
This approach transforms how consulting projects are executed. Instead of sequential workflows where humans complete tasks step by step, Riplo enables parallel collaboration between multiple AI agents and team members within a unified environment.
By embedding AI directly into the workflow, the platform aims to increase efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and improve the overall quality of outputs. It also allows consultants to focus more on high-level strategic thinking rather than repetitive or time-consuming tasks.
Built by Experts in AI and Consulting
Riplo was founded by a team with deep experience across artificial intelligence, consulting, and engineering. Alongside Tobias Haefele, the founding team includes Oliver Scott and Zack Zornitta.
Their backgrounds in developing AI-native products and working on advisory projects have shaped the company’s focus on practical, real-world applications. This combination of technical expertise and industry insight enables Riplo to design solutions that align closely with the needs of consulting professionals.
Scaling the Platform and Expanding Capabilities
With the newly raised capital, Riplo plans to expand its engineering team and accelerate product development. The company is also working closely with design partners to refine its platform and ensure it delivers value in real consulting environments.
These collaborations will play a key role in shaping the product’s evolution, allowing Riplo to adapt to different use cases and industry requirements. As the platform matures, the company aims to establish itself as a foundational tool for AI-enabled consulting.
Shaping the Future of Knowledge Work
Riplo’s vision extends beyond consulting. By creating an operating system where humans and AI agents collaborate seamlessly, the company is contributing to a broader transformation in knowledge work.
As organisations increasingly adopt AI, tools that enable effective human and machine collaboration will become essential. Riplo’s approach represents a shift from isolated AI applications to integrated systems that redefine how work is done.
With strong early backing and a clear focus on innovation, Riplo is positioning itself to play a significant role in the next generation of professional services.
