What ThoughtLab does

ThoughtLab Group (formerly ESI ThoughtLab) is a privately held global research firm founded in 2015 and headquartered in New York. The firm produces evidence-based, multi-client research at the intersection of technology, business, and government using a multidisciplinary team of economists, industry experts, technologists, and business editors. It runs large-scale benchmarking programs — surveying 200 cities, 500 financial institutions (representing US$74.2 trillion in assets), 1,200 organizations across 16 countries, and 1,000+ global executives — and delivers findings through reports, eBooks, benchmarking databases, webinars, advisory services, and the AI Navigator decision-support platform. CEO and founder Lou Celi, an IT futurist, leads the firm alongside Dr. Daniel Miles and an advisory team that includes AI specialists Eric Elizes and David Godinez.

The firm's product portfolio is anchored by the AI Innovation Center, an in-house incubator launched in July 2026 that experiments with generative AI, knowledge retrieval, process automation, and AI-agent capabilities across the research lifecycle — from hypothesis framing and survey design through modeling, synthesis, and delivery. Major research programs include Building a People-First, AI-Powered City (200-city benchmarking in partnership with Dell, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Intel, FedEx, GM, FTI Consulting, and Wireside Communications); The AI-Powered Investment Firm (500 financial institutions across 16 markets with Grant Thornton, AWS, LSEG, FNZ, and Publicis Sapient); AI-Powered Cities of the Future; Cybersecurity Solutions for a Riskier World; Wealth and Asset Management 4.0; and Driving ROI Through AI.

ThoughtLab's business model is sponsorship-driven B2B research services. The firm describes two revenue streams: (1) recurring multi-client research sponsorships with leading consulting, technology, and financial firms who commission programs to engage corporate and public-sector decision makers, and (2) single-client custom research and bespoke analysis. Target segments are consulting firms, technology companies, financial services firms, government and public sector, and corporate enterprises — with sponsor logos spanning the Big Four (KPMG, EY, PwC plus Deloitte), major technology platforms (Microsoft, NVIDIA, Intel, AWS, ServiceNow, Dell, Salesforce, Meta, Cognizant), financial infrastructure providers (LSEG, FNZ, Broadridge, Visa, Mastercard), and strategy/advisory firms (Booz Allen Hamilton, Grant Thornton, FTI Consulting, Publicis Sapient, Wipro).

Name

ThoughtLab

Legal name

ThoughtLab Group

Website

https://thoughtlabgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ThoughtLab is a privately held global research firm producing evidence-based, AI-enhanced multi-client research and benchmarking at the intersection of technology, business, and government, serving leading consulting, technology, and financial firms worldwide through sponsored programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Market Research & Analytics

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (54191)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

Keywords

• Strategic research services
• Benchmarking analytics
• Thought leadership research
• AI-powered insights
• Evidence-based analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Multi-Client Research Sponsorships: Leading consulting, technology, and financial firms sponsor ThoughtLab research programs to engage corporate and public-sector decision makers. Sponsors gain early access to findings and influence research direction.
2. Custom Research and Analysis: Single client analysis and bespoke research deliverables for organizations seeking tailored insights.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ThoughtLab is a global research firm that designs and executes multi-client, evidence-based research programs on AI adoption, smart cities, cybersecurity, wealth and asset management, ESG, and digital transformation, delivered through sponsored benchmarking studies, reports, webinars, advisory services, and the AI Navigator decision-support platform. Sponsoring firms include leading consulting, technology, and financial services brands that co-fund programs in exchange for early access to findings and co-branded deliverables aimed at corporate and public-sector decision makers.

Product overview

ThoughtLab is a global research firm that creates visionary thought leadership at the intersection of technology, business, and government. The company operates as a research and analytics organization with a product portfolio centered on its AI Innovation Center—a dedicated incubator that uses advanced AI capabilities to transform how thought leadership is conceived, executed, and delivered. The core offering includes the AI Navigator, a dynamic decision-support platform providing interactive research exploration, combined with rapid-response pulse surveys enabled by AI. ThoughtLab's portfolio encompasses multiple multi-client research programs including The AI-Powered Investment Firm, Building a People-First AI-Powered City, AI-Powered Cities of the Future, Cybersecurity Solutions for a Riskier World, Wealth and Asset Management 4.0, and Driving ROI Through AI—each delivering evidence-based research through benchmarking surveys, case studies, and AI-powered analysis for specific industry verticals and urban domains.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AI Innovation Center A dedicated AI incubator that transforms every stage of the thought leadership lifecycle from hypothesis framing and research design to data collection, analysis, synthesis, and delivery, using AI-driven sentiment analysis, AI-curated secondary research, AI-supported modeling, and rapid-response pulse surveys. Targeted at ThoughtLab's enterprise clients seeking accelerated, AI-enabled research and decision support.
• AI Navigator A dynamic, AI-guided decision-support platform that lets executives explore research through interactive charts, tailored content pathways, engaging infographics, and conversational access to underlying analysis, integrating narrative, data, tools, and advisory-style guidance.
• Rapid-Response Pulse Surveys AI-enabled survey methodology that can be launched, analyzed, and visualized in just a few days, allowing clients to track shifting executive sentiment, stress-test scenarios, and deliver fast, easy-to-digest thought leadership.
• Building a People-First, AI-Powered City A comprehensive, evidence-based research program providing city decision makers with an actionable roadmap for creating human-centered, AI-powered cities, including benchmarking data from 200 cities, a curated repository of municipal AI plans, and an AI playbook and benchmarking model.
• The AI-Powered Investment Firm Global research study on AI adoption in the wealth and asset management sector surveying over 500 financial institutions across 16 markets, examining AI strategy, implementation, ROI, and best practices.
• AI-Powered Cities of the Future Multi-client research initiative examining how 250 cities across 78 countries are using AI to address sustainability and resilience challenges, identifying leading practices that can serve as a roadmap for other cities.
• Cybersecurity Solutions for a Riskier World Cybersecurity benchmarking research program surveying 1,200 organizations across 16 countries representing over $125 billion in annual cybersecurity spend, identifying automation as a key solution to common cybersecurity challenges.
• Wealth and Asset Management 4.0 Research program exploring how COVID-19 reshapes investor perspectives and service provider strategies in the wealth management industry, identifying six mega trends transforming the investment sector.
• Driving ROI Through AI Research program focused on understanding how organizations achieve return on investment through AI implementation, examining AI maturity and business impact across industries.
• From Future Vision to Urban Reality Future-ready cities study examining actions cities need to take to become better prepared for the future, especially across specific urban domains, providing insights into building future-readiness.
• Building a Future-Ready Investment Firm Research program analyzing how investment firms can prepare for the future as investor demographics and expectations shift, examining technology innovations, regulations, competition, sustainability pressures, and demographic changes.
• Building a Future-Ready City Research program examining how cities worldwide are bolstering their resilience and adaptability to tackle pressing challenges through digital transformation and innovation.
• Smart City Solutions for a Riskier World Research program providing cities with practical solutions for addressing urban challenges including climate resilience, infrastructure modernization, and improving public services through partnerships and innovation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average AI maturity score jumped from 35 to 51 in one year according to ServiceNow Enterprise AI Maturity Index co-created with ThoughtLab
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers24 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dell TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2026Partner in Building a People-First, AI-Powered City research program. Contributes expertise in urban technology solutions and municipal AI implementation. Research draws on AI benchmarking data from 200 cities worldwide.
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Building a People-First, AI-Powered City research initiative providing AI technology expertise for urban transformation research covering 200 cities globally.
• NVIDIAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in AI-powered city research and urban AI transformation programs. Provides expertise in AI and GPU computing for smart city applications.
• IntelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Building a People-First, AI-Powered City research program contributing technology and edge AI expertise for municipal applications.
• ServiceNowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple co-sponsored research programs including AI maturity index, customer experience studies, cybersecurity benchmarking, and business transformation research.
• DeloittecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner in urban transformation research including Deloitte-ThoughtLab Global City Leaders Survey, future-ready cities programs, and climate resilience studies.
• Grant ThorntoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor and strategic advisor for AI-powered investment firm research in asset management sector. Contributed to global survey of 500 financial institutions on AI transformation.
• NTT DatacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned global study on data center infrastructure and AI demand projections. Report projects 23-30% annual growth in AI data center demand through 2030.
• Publicis SapientcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in AI-powered investment firm research, contributing digital transformation expertise for wealth and asset management AI adoption study.
• LSEGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in research on AI's role in wealth management, highlighting transformation of advisor and client experiences through generative AI applications.
• FNZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in wealth and asset management research coalition examining technology innovations and demographic shifts transforming the investment industry.
• AWScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in wealth management and investment firm AI research, contributing cloud infrastructure expertise to global survey of financial institutions.
• Axis CommunicationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in IoT maturity research across six industries and smart city solutions benchmarking studies.
• General MotorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Building a People-First, AI-Powered City research program providing automotive and mobility expertise for urban AI transformation.
• FedExcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Building a People-First, AI-Powered City research program contributing logistics and supply chain expertise for urban transformation.
• FTI ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Building a People-First, AI-Powered City research program providing business and technology advisory expertise.
• Wireside CommunicationscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in Building a People-First, AI-Powered City research program providing communications and marketing expertise.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AlphaSense: AlphaSense provides AI-powered market intelligence, research search, and decision support. It overlaps with ThoughtLab AI Navigator through interactive access to research, documents, and underlying analysis.
• IDC: IDC conducts technology market research, surveys, benchmarking, and advisory work for enterprise buyers. It is particularly comparable to ThoughtLab's AI, smart-city, and cybersecurity research programs.
• Forrester: Forrester sells research, benchmarking data, and advisory services to executives across technology and business functions. Its research-led subscription and advisory model closely overlaps ThoughtLab's offering.
• CB Insights: CB Insights combines proprietary market research, datasets, analysis, and a technology platform for business decision-makers. This makes it relevant to ThoughtLab's research-library and AI Navigator strategy.
• Oxford Economics: Oxford Economics combines economic research, forecasting, scenario analysis, and client advisory services. ThoughtLab shares its use of multidisciplinary economic analysis for business and public-sector decision-making.
• Omdia: Omdia provides technology research, forecasts, data, and advisory services to vendors and enterprise decision-makers. Its coverage of AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation is closely aligned with several ThoughtLab verticals.
• The Conference Board: The Conference Board produces business research, benchmarks, and executive insights. It is comparable to ThoughtLab's think-tank positioning and research-led engagement of senior corporate and public-sector leaders.
• Gartner: Gartner provides subscription research, benchmarks, and advisory services to business and technology leaders. It is directly comparable to ThoughtLab's evidence-based research and decision-support model.

Broad incumbents

• S&P Global Market Intelligence: S&P Global Market Intelligence provides financial data, research, benchmarks, and analytics to institutional clients. It is an adjacent comparator for ThoughtLab's wealth-management and investment-firm research, but serves a narrower financial-services market.
• Ipsos: Ipsos is a global market-research firm specializing in surveys, opinion research, and analytics. It is comparable in primary research capabilities, although its service portfolio is substantially broader than ThoughtLab's.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thoughtlabgroup
• Xx.com/ThoughtLabGroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ThoughtLab