Many companies deal with scattered data in old spreadsheets, legacy systems, and separate departments. Getting useful insights often means waiting for engineers to help, which can take a long time.
Dataline Labs, based in London, has created a tool that quickly organises and prepares data for AI analysis, cutting the process from months to minutes. The platform leverages business context to ensure AI results are accurate.
The company just raised $1M in pre-seed funding, led by Haatch Ventures, with support from the British Business Bank and angel investors. Dataline is also part of the Ministry of Defence’s accelerator program, working with companies like Babcock, Thales, and Rheinmetall BAE Systems to improve defence supply chain data management.
Dataline is launching MIRA AI, a tool that lets users ask questions in plain English and get direct answers, no technical skills needed.
Making data accessible
Evan Shapiro and Chris Lawson are first-time founders who were frustrated by seeing the same problem at every job, from big banks to small startups. The data existed, but it was always hard to access.
“We focus heavily on business context – how companies actually use their data, how they understand it, and what it means at an individual level. The better the context and the longer the living memory, the more accurate the insights we can provide. We build solutions that solve real-world problems across sectors, ” explains Shapiro to TFN.
MIRA AI processes and organises data, adds company-specific knowledge, and answers plain English questions like “How’s churn looking by area this quarter?” with instant charts and insights.
Dataline stands out for its quick setup, reliable AI results thanks to context, and strong security for defence use. This approach removes the need for long data preparation or expert knowledge to build dashboards.
While tools like custom GPTs can give wrong answers without good data, and newer options like Hex or Narrative BI have made progress, Dataline is faster, easier for non-technical users, and approved for defence applications.
What about diversity?
On diversity, Shapiro shares with TFN, “We’re a team of five – two Canadian, three British”
What’s next?
The $1M investment will help grow the team, scale MIRA AI for bigger clients, and support Ministry of Defence projects to connect UK defence data systems.
“Our goal is to become the go-to knowledge source across the business – an AI platform that deeply understands data usage, meaning and context across an organisation, ensuring that knowledge remains even when people move on. In the next 6-12 months, we’re focused on proving the size of this market and our ability to sell into it. From there, we’ll raise a Seed round to grow the team, capability and technology,” Shapiro concludes.
