Actian
Actian, the data and AI division of HCLSoftware within HCLTech, sells a cloud-native data intelligence platform with federated knowledge graph, observability, conversational analytics, and vector search to large regulated enterprises across financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, government, and transportation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2025
- HeadquartersPalo Alto, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Actian does
Actian is the data and AI division of HCLSoftware, itself part of publicly listed HCLTech (NYSE: HCLTECH), operating from Palo Alto with 251-500 employees and serving large enterprises in regulated industries including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, government, and retail. Its core offering is the Actian Data Intelligence Platform, a cloud-native, AI-ready platform built on a federated knowledge graph architecture that unifies metadata management, real-time data observability, conversational analytics, and contract-first governance across more than 100 data sources including Snowflake, Databricks, Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, Oracle, SAP, and Salesforce. Supporting modules include the AI Analyst (formerly Wobby, acquired for €4.5M in December 2025), Data Steward Agent, VectorAI DB, and an MCP Server that bridges governed metadata to Claude, Copilot Studio, Cursor, Windsurf, and ChatGPT. The portfolio also retains legacy database and integration assets (HCL Informix, Ingres, NoSQL, Zen, DataConnect, DataFlow, Business Xchange), with Jaspersoft's $240M acquisition adding embedded BI and reporting.
The business model is enterprise subscription SaaS with tiered publicly disclosed pricing for new AI Analyst ($499-$2,999/month) and VectorAI DB (from $417/month) products, plus custom enterprise contracts sold through a direct field sales motion targeting data leaders, CDOs, governance teams, and AI/ML engineering leaders. Compliance coverage spans BCBS 239, GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, and EU AI Act, and 25 of the Fortune 100 are named customers including Honeywell, FedEx, Intuit, ConocoPhillips, and Sabre, alongside European enterprise references such as BPCE Group, Generali, GEMA (140% ROI, €3M annual value, 11 AI models in production), Lufthansa Cargo, and SNCF Connect. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales, cloud-native SaaS delivery, a technology partner ecosystem, and a referral program.
Actian firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Actian
- Legal name
- Actian Corporation
- Website
- https://actian.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2025
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Actian, the data and AI division of HCLSoftware within HCLTech, sells a cloud-native data intelligence platform with federated knowledge graph, observability, conversational analytics, and vector search to large regulated enterprises across financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, government, and transportation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Actian industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Data Intelligence Platform
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Enterprise AI Data & Knowledge Platforms (Vector Databases, Knowledge Graphs) (HDAEANAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Agents & Autonomous Workflows (Tool Use, Planning, Multi-Agent) (HDAAACAF), Data & Analytics Platforms (Data Warehousing, Lakes, Streaming) (HDABAAAF)
Keywords
Where Actian is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Palo Alto
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Actian business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- SaaS Subscription (Data Intelligence Platform): Cloud-native SaaS platform delivered on subscription basis with pricing tiers based on usage and scale. Enterprise customers access the platform via annual contracts with usage-based components.
- AI Analyst Subscriptions: Tiered subscription pricing for AI Analyst product with Starter ($499/month), Growth ($1,699/month), Scale ($2,999/month), and Enterprise plans. Includes message-based usage limits for Quick Analysis, Deep Analysis, and Steward operations.
- VectorAI DB Licensing: Vector database product with free Community Edition and paid versions starting at $417/month for production deployments targeting regulated industries.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Starter - For individual users getting started with conversational analytics |
| Subscription | Monthly | Growth - For teams collaborating and scaling analysis across the business |
| Subscription | Monthly | Scale - For large organizations with higher usage and governance needs |
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise - For organizations requiring custom message and model limits |
| Subscription | Monthly | VectorAI DB - Free Community Edition and paid production versions |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Actian product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Actian sells a cloud-native, AI-ready data intelligence platform that combines a federated knowledge graph, active metadata management, real-time data observability, conversational analytics, and contract-first governance for enterprise AI applications. The portfolio also includes a vector database (VectorAI DB), AI-driven data quality and observability tools, a conversational AI Analyst, an MCP Server bridging AI assistants, and an underlying database and data integration stack (Analytics Engine, Informix, Ingres, NoSQL, OpenROAD, Zen, DataConnect, DataFlow).
Product overview
Actian offers a unified data intelligence platform with multiple integrated products and modules. The core offering is the Actian Data Intelligence Platform, a cloud-native, AI-ready solution combining federated knowledge graph architecture, real-time data observability, conversational analytics, and contract-first governance. Supporting modules include: Actian AI Analyst (conversational analytics with natural language querying), Actian Data Observability (AI-based quality monitoring), Data Steward Agent (autonomous metadata governance), and Actian MCP Server (Model Context Protocol bridge for AI assistants). Actian also provides a database portfolio including Analytics Engine, HCL Informix, Ingres, NoSQL, OpenROAD, and Zen for edge/IoT. Data integration is handled through DataConnect, DataFlow, and Business Xchange. The platform connects to 100+ data sources including Snowflake, Databricks, Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SAP, Salesforce, Tableau, and Power BI.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Wobby: Product brand acquired in December 2025, operating as a product under Actian.
Products and services
- Actian Data Intelligence Platform Cloud-native AI-ready data intelligence platform combining a federated knowledge graph architecture, real-time data observability, conversational analytics, and contract-first governance for enterprise AI. Provides a unified catalog, metadata management, data lineage, and business context so both people and AI agents can work with trusted enterprise data.
- Actian AI Analyst (formerly Wobby.ai) Context-aware conversational analytics powered by a governed semantic layer, letting business users query governed data using plain-language prompts without writing SQL. Includes a Steward Agent-built semantic foundation, controlled analytical execution, transparent metric calculations, and native Slack and Microsoft Teams integrations.
- Actian Data Observability AI-based data quality monitoring and observability built for open architecture. Provides real-time continuous monitoring across data freshness, volume, schema drift, and distribution patterns with automated anomaly detection, root-cause explanation, and resolution coordination for enterprise data stacks.
- VectorAI DB Portable vector database designed for production AI in regulated, disconnected, and edge computing environments. Reports 22x faster throughput than leading open-source alternatives and targets on-premises deployments, air-gapped facilities, plant floors, and hybrid environments with compliance configurations for HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001, and SOC 2 Type II.
- Actian MCP Server Secure bridge based on the Model Context Protocol open standard that connects AI tools (Claude, Microsoft Copilot Studio, Cursor, Windsurf, ChatGPT) directly to the Actian Data Intelligence Platform for metadata queries, glossary definitions, and data discovery. Exposes tools such as find_glossary_definition, get_glossary_implementations, get_dataset_data_model, and semantic_search_glossary.
- Data Steward Agent AI agent embedded in the Actian Data Intelligence Platform that automates metadata documentation, enrichment, classification, and governance. Generates descriptions and glossary terms, fills documentation gaps, assigns ownership, and continuously keeps metadata accurate and up to date.
- Analytics Engine High-performance analytics database delivering record-breaking processing performance for enterprise workloads, part of the Actian database portfolio.
- HCL Informix Enterprise database management system with vector search capabilities through the VectorBlade extension, sold under the Actian portfolio.
- Ingres Enterprise database platform offering reliable data management capabilities within the Actian portfolio.
- Actian NoSQL NoSQL database capabilities within Actian's portfolio for handling unstructured and semi-structured data.
- OpenROAD Application development environment for building data-driven enterprise applications.
- Zen Edge and IoT-optimized database for disconnected and distributed environments.
- DataConnect Enterprise data integration platform enabling connectivity to 100+ data sources including databases, warehouses, cloud platforms, business applications, and BI tools.
- DataFlow Data integration product for connecting, managing, and analyzing data across the enterprise.
- Business Xchange Data integration solution within the Analytics AI Platform for enterprise connectivity.
- Enterprise Data Marketplace (Data Products & Contracts) E-commerce-like platform within Actian Data Intelligence where data producers publish data products and data consumers discover, understand, and access data assets, with decentralized data ownership and centralized governance.
Quantifiable outcome
- Organizations with company-wide data products are 3.4x more likely to successfully move AI projects into production
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Actian
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Actian technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration32 records
AI capability9 records
Feature7 records
Actian partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- DeepLearning.AI (Andrew Ng)minorActian participated as a speaker at AI Dev 26 x SF conference organized by Andrew Ng's DeepLearning.AI. Executive from Actian presented on topics ranging from AI agents and code correctness to the shift from manual coding to AI-driven development.
- Jaspersoft (acquisition from Cloud Software Group)coreHCLSoftware announced intent to acquire Jaspersoft from Cloud Software Group for $240 million in an all-cash deal, expected to close within six months. Jaspersoft's pixel-perfect analytics and integrated reporting capabilities will strengthen Actian's end-to-end data management solutions, particularly for regulated sectors including government, banking, and financial services.
- Wobby (AI Data Analyst startup acquisition)coreHCLSoftware announced acquisition of Wobby, an early-stage AI Data Analyst startup based in Antwerp, Belgium, for approximately €4.5 million. Deal expected to close by February 2026. Wobby's agentic AI data analyst capabilities powered by natural language processing complement Actian Data Intelligence Platform's knowledge graph capabilities, enabling customers to query complex datasets through conversational interfaces.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Actian competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Alation: Alation is a leading enterprise data catalog and data intelligence platform. It directly competes with Actian's Data Intelligence Platform on data cataloging, metadata management, and governance for large enterprises, with a comparable sales-led enterprise motion.
- Collibra: Collibra offers a data intelligence platform focused on data catalog, governance, and lineage. It is a direct competitor to Actian's federated knowledge graph and governance offerings, serving similar regulated enterprise buyers.
- Atlan: Atlan is a modern data catalog and metadata platform with active metadata, lineage, and AI-ready data features. It competes directly with Actian in the next-generation data intelligence layer for AI initiatives.
- Monte Carlo: Monte Carlo is a data observability platform providing anomaly detection and data quality monitoring. It directly competes with Actian's Data Observability module for AI-ready data reliability.
Broad incumbents
- Informatica: Informatica is a broad enterprise data integration and governance incumbent offering catalog, data quality, and master data management. It overlaps Actian across DataConnect, data catalog, and governance use cases in large enterprises.
- Databricks: Databricks offers Unity Catalog as a built-in data catalog and governance layer for the Data Intelligence Platform. It is an incumbent competitor that bundles similar capabilities into its lakehouse, increasingly overlapping with Actian's data intelligence value proposition.
- Snowflake: Snowflake's Horizon Catalog and AI Data Cloud provide native data governance and AI features for Snowflake customers. It represents an embedded incumbent alternative for enterprises standardizing on Snowflake.
- Palantir: Palantir's Foundry and AIP platforms deliver ontology-driven data integration and AI application development for enterprises. It is a broader incumbent with comparable knowledge-graph-centric and AI-ready data positioning.
Emerging players
- Bigeye: Bigeye provides data observability and quality monitoring. As an emerging player, it competes with Actian's Data Observability Agents for enterprise data quality and AI reliability use cases.
- Dremio: Dremio offers a lakehouse platform with semantic layer and data catalog capabilities. It is an emerging competitor targeting AI-ready data and self-service analytics use cases that overlap with Actian's positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Customer concentration
Actian social profiles
Digital presenceActian compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Actian financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Actian leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Actian funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Actian M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Actian
What does Actian do?
Actian sells a cloud-native, AI-ready data intelligence platform that combines a federated knowledge graph, active metadata management, real-time data observability, conversational analytics, and contract-first governance for enterprise AI applications. The portfolio also includes a vector database (VectorAI DB), AI-driven data quality and observability tools, a conversational AI Analyst, an MCP Server bridging AI assistants, and an underlying database and data integration stack (Analytics Engine, Informix, Ingres, NoSQL, OpenROAD, Zen, DataConnect, DataFlow).
Is Actian a public or private company?
Actian is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Actian founded?
Actian was founded in 2025. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Actian based?
Actian is headquartered in Palo Alto, United States, in the North America region.
How does Actian make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. SaaS Subscription (Data Intelligence Platform) is the primary driver. The others are AI Analyst Subscriptions and vectorAI DB Licensing.
Who are Actian's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Alation, Collibra, Atlan and Monte Carlo. Broad incumbents are Informatica, Databricks, Snowflake and Palantir. Emerging players are Bigeye and Dremio.
Does Actian have an API?
Yes. Actian MCP Server functions as a secure bridge based on the Model Context Protocol (MCP) open standard, connecting AI tools (Claude, Microsoft Copilot Studio, Cursor, Windsurf, ChatGPT) directly to the Actian Data Intelligence Platform. The platform also provides a dedicated API with native support for Bitol Open Data Contract Standard (ODCS), enabling automatic registration and updates of data products and contracts from CI/CD pipelines. MCP tools include find_glossary_definition, get_glossary_implementations, get_dataset_data_model, and semantic_search_glossary. Developer documentation is at docs.actian.com/zeenea.
What industry is Actian in?
Actian's product category is Data Intelligence Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEANAH, Enterprise AI Data & Knowledge Platforms (Vector Databases, Knowledge Graphs), with a secondary code of HDAAACAF, Agents & Autonomous Workflows (Tool Use, Planning, Multi-Agent). Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7372.