Ocient

Ocient is a Chicago-based software company that builds the OcientAIQ Unified Data Platform, a petabyte-scale data platform intended to run AI, analytics and high-performance query execution directly against enterprise data rather than requiring that data be moved, copied or sampled across separate systems. The platform combines data ingest, query optimization, security and governance in one system, supports structured and semi-structured data, continuously ingests high-volume data so it is queryable as it arrives, and exposes access controls, auditability and compliance features to human analysts, BI tools and AI agents alike. It can be deployed on premises, in the OcientCloud or in public cloud environments to fit operational, security and data-sovereignty requirements.

Beyond the platform, Ocient packages OcientAIQ Solutions — industry-specific, outcome-oriented agentic AI offerings — and an accompanying Solutions Delivery practice that tailors deployments from requirements through production support. Named industry focuses include communications service providers (autonomous network operations and network-scale telemetry), national security (multi-source intelligence fusion), AdTech (optimizing ad exchange interactions) and financial services. The company also launched a Data Retention and Disclosure System for telecommunications providers to respond to legal data requests.

Earlier product positioning centered on the Ocient Hyperscale Data Warehouse, announced when the company emerged from stealth in 2022, offering SQL data warehousing and real-time analytics alongside in-database machine learning (OcientML), geospatial analytics (OcientGeo) and ELT capabilities. Underlying proprietary technologies include Compute Adjacent Storage Architecture (CASA), Megalane and Zero Copy Reliability.

Founding story

The company was founded in 2016 by the founding team of Cleversafe, a storage company IBM acquired in 2015. CEO Chris Gladwin has described starting Ocient on the premise that NVMe storage units would transform the modern data stack and enable software capabilities that were previously infeasible, with research and initial development running until the 2022 emergence from stealth.

Business model

Ocient sells enterprise data and AI software, packaged as the OcientAIQ Unified Data Platform plus industry solutions and a paid solutions-delivery practice that implements and supports deployments. Deployment options span on-premises, OcientCloud and public cloud, and the website lists a pricing page for the platform.

Software-centric revenue from enterprise platform deployments complemented by solutions delivery and support engagements; the company reported 109% year-over-year revenue growth in the fiscal year preceding March 2024 and said it had doubled revenue for three consecutive years as of 2025.

Traction

Revenue grew 109% year over year in the fiscal year reported in March 2024, and the company said it had doubled revenue for three consecutive years by April 2025. It closed a $132 million Series B including a $42.1 million extension in autumn 2024, bringing total invested capital reported at $159.4 million. Analyst recognition includes GigaOm Fast Mover/Challenger status and inclusion in Forrester's Data Warehouse Landscape. Publicly referenced customers include MediaMath, Basis Technologies and Beachfront.

Latest developments

Ocient has repositioned its offering around OcientAIQ, comprising the Unified Data Platform, industry solutions for CSPs, national security, AdTech and financial services, and a solutions delivery practice. It completed a $132 million Series B and hired Henry Marshall (previously Loft Orbital) as CFO, expanded partnerships with AMD, Vertosoft, Solidigm and Amdocs, joined the NVIDIA Inception program, and launched a Data Retention and Disclosure System for telecommunications providers. Company executives have continued to publish commentary on enterprise AI adoption and cybersecurity through 2026.