Ex-McKinsey consultant launched an AI startup that he says can help smaller firms take on the 'goliaths' in the consulting industry
A new generative AI startup, Perceptis, co-founded by former McKinsey consultant Alibek Dostiyarov, aims to revolutionize consulting by automating tedious tasks traditionally handled by human consultants. Alongside CTO Yersultan Sapar, a former Apple engineer, the team believes their software can significantly streamline consulting workflows, which are often labor-intensive. "A lot of the internal processes are extremely manual labor heavy," said Dostiyarov, emphasizing the potential for AI to enhance efficiency in the industry.
Perceptis recently raised $3.6 million in funding from various investors, including Streamlined Ventures and several prominent angel investors. The platform is designed for small- to midsize consulting firms that lack the resources of larger enterprises but still need to improve their business development processes. By automating tasks such as industry research and proposal creation, Perceptis allows these firms to focus more on client needs and service delivery.
One of the primary functions of Perceptis is to help consulting firms increase their job proposals. The AI can identify opportunities aligned with clients' expertise, creating tailored proposals that would typically require over 20 hours of manual work. By reducing this time substantially, the company claims clients often double or triple their proposal submissions each month, leading to higher conversion rates and revenue growth.
Despite the advanced capabilities of AI, the co-founders stress that the technology is meant to supplement—not replace—human consultants. Currently, AI cannot replace human judgment or the essential interpersonal interactions required in consulting. However, they are optimistic that it can make the consulting industry more productive and accessible, leveling the playing field for smaller firms and independent consultants competing against larger organizations.
As the industry evolves, Dostiyarov predicts that the consulting landscape may become larger, more fragmented, and specialized as smaller firms gain traction. While acknowledging the continued presence of industry giants, he believes substantial growth will stem from smaller firms enabled by AI technologies like those developed by Perceptis, ultimately democratizing access to consulting services.