The boss of a Dundee data specialist has revealed plans to scale up after winning several major contracts.
Data Understood was founded by physicist-turned-data scientist Inez Hogarth.
It helps companies better understand and implement effective data strategies in the workplace.
Founded seven years ago, it has worked for everyone from the NHS to the Home Office.
Inez, who previously worked for city firm Insights, started the business after spotting a gap in the market.
She said: “At Insights I worked on a data project and I later self-funded a masters in applied statistics and data mining.
“I noticed a massive gap in the market. Businesses weren’t teaching their employees how to use data efficiently.
“That’s where I thought, there’s a company in this, and I can do this full-time.”
What does Data Understood do?
Data Understood has worked with 25 companies over the past seven years, ranging from short-term workshops to long-term contracts with major firms.
Rooted in Dundee’s tech ecosystem, the company thrives on collaboration, often partnering with other small firms to build bespoke teams for each project.
She follows a four-step approach: unearth, reveal, build, achieve.
“The priority is making sure the insights and tools are actually helping the employees,” she said.
“Our first big client was 4GS, a mobile contracting company. Since then, we’ve worked with companies of all different sizes.
“Some of our other clients are public sector, including the NHS, police initiatives and the Home Office.
“A new role we’ve started to take on is training people on how to use AI tools like large language models.
“Everyone wants to know how to use AI, but it starts with understanding the data.
“That’s where we come in.”
Growth plans
Data Understood is quietly scaling up. The team now includes two full-time employees, two interns, and three contractors.
“We’ve kept the company small on purpose, no more than 10 people, so we can stay agile and provide real job security,” Inez said.
“But this year is really the push to grow the organisation.
“We are actively looking to increase the number of companies we’re working for.”
Conversation