OpenAI has kicked off the new year with another strategic acquisition, bringing on board the team behind Convogo. The startup developed a business software platform designed to automate and enhance leadership assessment and feedback reporting for executive coaches, consultants, talent leaders, and HR professionals.
A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed that the deal does not include the acquisition of Convogo’s intellectual property or technology. Instead, the entire team is joining OpenAI as part of an all-stock transaction, according to sources familiar with the matter. Founders Matt Cooper, Evan Cater, and Mike Gillett will now contribute their expertise to OpenAI’s “AI Cloud initiative.”
Convogo’s product will be gradually phased out following the transition.
The startup originated from a weekend hackathon sparked by a question from Cooper’s mother—an executive coach—who wondered if AI could streamline the time-consuming process of report writing, freeing up more space for actual coaching. Over the past two years, Convogo has supported thousands of coaches and partnered with leading global leadership development firms, as noted in the company’s acquisition announcement email.
In the message, the founders reflected on their core realization: the biggest challenge lies not in what AI models can do, but in bridging the gap between cutting-edge capabilities and real-world impact.
“We’re now more convinced than ever that closing this gap requires intentional, purpose-built experiences—exactly what we created for our coaching community at Convogo,” the team wrote. “That’s why we’re excited to join OpenAI and continue building tools that make AI accessible and impactful across industries.”
Data from PitchBook shows this marks OpenAI’s ninth acquisition within a single year. In most cases, acquired products are either integrated into OpenAI’s ecosystem—such as Sky, an AI interface for Mac, or Statsig, a product experimentation platform—or discontinued after the team transitions, as seen with Roi, Context.ai, and Crossing Minds.
The Convogo deal underscores how OpenAI, much like its peers, is leveraging acquisitions to rapidly acquire top talent and specialized capabilities. A notable exception remains OpenAI’s partnership with Jonny Ive’s io Products, where the hardware venture continues its independent roadmap while collaborating closely with OpenAI on developing a new class of AI-powered devices.
