Datapao Raises Strategic Funding to Push GenAI from Pilot to Production
Generative AI is all the rage—until it hits the wall of real-world implementation. That’s where Datapao steps in. The Budapest-based data and AI consultancy announced a new round of strategic investment from Databricks Ventures and Euroventures to help enterprises operationalize GenAI at scale.
The funding signals confidence in Datapao’s dual-pronged model: building robust data platforms—specifically on Databricks—and training internal teams to use them effectively. It’s a refreshingly grounded take amid a sea of GenAI hype.
“We kept seeing the same problem: ambitious GenAI ideas with no scalable platform to support them,” said Datapao CEO and founder Mate Gulyas. “So we built those platforms—and trained the people who run them.”
Why This Matters: Most AI Projects Still Don’t Work in the Wild
Despite massive enterprise interest, GenAI adoption is still largely stuck in pilot mode. Several recent industry studies highlight the gap between enthusiasm and execution:
- BCG (2025): 72% of employees use AI, but adoption among frontline workers lags dramatically.
- Qlik: Only 11% of companies report ROI from AI; data silos and poor integration top the list of blockers.
- Databricks & Economist Impact: 85% of enterprises say they’re using GenAI—but just 37% consider their deployments production-ready. That number drops to 29% among AI practitioners, who cite costs, skills shortages, and governance challenges.
Datapao was founded in 2016 specifically to tackle these roadblocks. Its team—composed of engineers and educators—zeroed in on what they call the “execution gap.” The company’s approach? Close that gap with real infrastructure and real skills.
From PowerPoint to Production: Datapao’s Playbook
Datapao has quietly become one of the most experienced Databricks partners in Europe, working with clients in heavily regulated industries like finance, energy, and manufacturing. Its model blends three services:
- Strategic Consulting
- Production-Grade Implementation on Databricks
- Official, Databricks-Authorized Workforce Training
It’s this full-stack approach—technology, process, and people—that caught the eye of Databricks and Euroventures.
“Datapao has been a trusted partner for many years, consistently helping our joint customers realize data modernization on the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform,” said Kori O’Brien, SVP of Global Partners at Databricks. “This investment will accelerate their speed to market.”
Euroventures echoed that sentiment. “AI has had plenty of hype,” said partner Tom Howells. “The next step is delivering real outcomes. Datapao is the European services company to make that happen.”
What’s Next: Scaling GenAI with Real Tools, Not Just Talk
With this new investment, Datapao plans to:
- Expand its consulting presence in regulated industries
- Accelerate enterprise Databricks migration projects
- Launch new GenAI-focused upskilling programs across Europe
Gulyas believes that GenAI success in the coming years won’t hinge on clever prompts or flashy demos—but on infrastructure, pipelines, and skilled people.
“This investment allows us to help more companies move from experimentation to execution,” he said. “That’s where the real value lies.”
And with Databricks and Euroventures in its corner, Datapao is better positioned than ever to help businesses stop talking about AI—and start using it.
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