UK-based Ambr secures new investment from Look AI Ventures to tackle workplace stress with AI technology

LONDON, UK, 26.9.2024 — Ambr, a London-based startup focused on improving workplace well-being through AI-driven insights, has secured a new funding from Czech Look AI Ventures. The new investment will support Ambr’s mission to help companies tackle the root causes of workplace stress.

In today’s fast-paced work environments, stress has developed into a widespread but unnoticed issue, often leading to burnout, disengagement, and high employee turnover. Burnout, as defined by the WHO, results from chronic workplace stress that hasn’t been successfully managed. An article by Stanford Social Innovation Review highlights the economic impact, with burnout costing organizations between $120B and $190B annually. Moreover, traditional methods like pulse surveys and digital wellness apps have struggled to effectively address these deeper issues.

Ambr offers companies an innovative way to combat workplace stress. The platform integrates with over 50 commonly used workplace tools, including Outlook, Gmail, Microsoft Teams, and Slack, to gather real-time data. Using AI and machine learning, Ambr anonymizes and aggregates data and then analyzes it to uncover patterns and trends related to employee well-being. The platform then provides tailored recommendations that help organizations address the root causes of stress rather than simply managing its symptoms.

Ambr’s strategy is built on practicality and precision. Unlike traditional surveys, which can be time-consuming and intrusive, Ambr passively collects and analyzes objective data from the tools employees use daily. This seamless integration allows companies to gain valuable insights without disrupting workflows or compromising privacy. The platform also tracks the effectiveness of interventions, offering organizations a clear view of their impact over time.

As a result, Ambr’s clients have already reported a notable reduction in stress-related issues, with a 20% drop in employee attrition, a 40% decrease in stress-related absences, and cost savings of up to $500,000 annually for a company of 500 employees. The company’s clients include Uber, BSC Consulting, and Uplink.

With the latest investment, Look AI Ventures, a Czech venture capital firm focused exclusively on AI startups, joins the £950K (approximately €1.1M) pre-seed round led by Fuel Ventures and backed by Loyal VC, SeedBlink, APX, Pi Labs, Veridian Ventures, and Plug and Play.

“At Look AI Ventures, we are thrilled to support Ambr in its mission to revolutionize workplace well-being. Unlike traditional methods that rely on surveys, Ambr taps into real employee interactions by seamlessly integrating with over 50 company tools, providing a robust data-driven approach. This allows organizations to gain valid insights not only to predict issues related to employee morale, well-being, and burnout but also to offer a solid foundation for people managers to assess and address these challenges effectively.

Moreover, Ambr seamlessly integrates with a wide range of workplace tools across both Google and Microsoft ecosystems, enhancing the overall experience for employees and HR. We’re proud that Ambr works closely with its technology partners to provide a solution that amplifies the capabilities of existing workplace platforms, showcasing its value in the modern, interconnected workplace.” 

Angelo Burgarello, Partner at Look AI Ventures

Ambr was co-founded by Zoe Stones, Jamie Wood, and Steph Newton in 2022. Their combined experience at companies like Uber, Deloitte, Accenture, and Spotify has shaped Ambr into a practical and effective tool for modern workplaces.

“This new investment from Look AI Ventures marks a significant milestone in Ambr’s journey. We’re excited to accelerate our growth and expand our impact on workplace well-being. With this funding, we plan to enhance our AI capabilities to provide even more accurate and actionable insights while also further developing predictive models for proactive stress management. Our solution is already making a significant impact, but we believe we’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible. With the support of our investors, we’re poised to revolutionize how companies approach employee well-being, creating workplaces where people can truly thrive.” 

Zoe Stones, Co-Founder & CEO at Ambr

About Ambr

Ambr is transforming workplace well-being with AI solutions that target stress at its source. Unlike traditional survey-based methods, Ambr analyzes real-time data from over 50 workplace tools, offering clear, data-driven, and transparent insights. This approach helps companies improve employee well-being, reduce turnover, and boost productivity while safeguarding privacy.

About Look AI Ventures Look AI Ventures (LAIV) is the first investment fund in the Czech Republic focusing exclusively on early-stage AI startups, with a team of seasoned managers and AI experts on the mission to nurture the AI ecosystem and drive the growth of disruptive AI-driven solutions in major markets.