What 1771 does

1771 is a Minneapolis-based AI consulting firm that provides done-with-you AI implementation services to small-business owners across the Minneapolis–St. Paul Twin Cities metro area. Originally founded in 2013 as a Salesforce CRM consulting group, the company has repositioned around AI workflow automation, offering four integrated service lines: AI Workflow Audit (mapping existing workflows to identify high-impact automation opportunities), Process Optimization (redesigning workflows around AI-native tools), Hands-On Automation (building working automations live alongside clients), and AI Strategy (delivering tailored AI adoption roadmaps). The core methodological differentiator is that clients leave each session with functioning AI tools rather than slide decks or theoretical recommendations, and no developer or coding expertise is required of the customer.

Underlying technology consists of third-party AI-native automation and workflow tools configured by the firm on behalf of clients; 1771 does not develop proprietary AI models or maintain its own ML infrastructure. The firm's intellectual property is its consulting playbook and the live working-session delivery format. Ben McDermott is identified as Founder/Co-Founder with a Salesforce consulting background.

The business model is pure professional services: revenue is generated through hourly or project-based consulting engagements booked via a free strategy call funnel and delivered in-person or in live sessions. The firm employs 1–10 people, operates from a single Minneapolis headquarters, and distributes exclusively through direct, consultative sales — primarily its own website (1771.co) and phone outreach (612-800-1771). There are no disclosed funding rounds, institutional investors, partners, resellers, or productized/self-serve channels, and no publicly disclosed pricing. The company appears independently and privately held with no parent company or subsidiary structure.

Name

1771

Website

https://1771.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

1771 is a Minneapolis-based AI consulting firm that provides done-with-you AI workflow automation, process optimization, and strategy services to small-business owners across the Twin Cities metro.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

AI Consulting Services

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Other Management Consulting Services (541618)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Data, Analytics & AI Consulting (BPAHAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Data, Analytics & AI Consulting (BPAHACAI)

Keywords

• AI consulting services
• Workflow automation consulting
• Process optimization services
• Small business AI strategy
• Done-with-you AI implementation

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. AI Consulting Services: Done-with-you consulting engagements involving workflow audits, process optimization, hands-on automation building, and AI strategy development. Revenue is generated through service engagements, likely billed at hourly or project rates based on the consulting nature of the offering.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

1771 is a Minneapolis-based AI consulting firm that provides done-with-you AI services to small business owners. Its core offering consists of live, collaborative working sessions in which the firm audits client workflows, redesigns processes around AI-native tools, and builds working automations alongside the client. The service is delivered without requiring any coding or developer expertise from the customer, and clients leave each session with functioning AI tools.

Product overview

1771 offers a suite of done-with-you AI consulting services designed for small business owners in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities. The company provides four integrated service offerings: AI Workflow Audit (identifying automation opportunities), Process Optimization (redesigning workflows with AI-native tools), Hands-On Automation (building working automations in live sessions), and AI Strategy (developing AI adoption roadmaps). Rather than delivering slide decks, 1771 focuses on providing clients with working AI tools by the end of each session.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AI Workflow Audit
• Process Optimization
• Hands-On Automation
• AI Strategy

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature3 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• HatchWorks AI: AI consulting and development partner for businesses adopting AI/ML solutions. Comparable to 1771 in offering AI strategy and implementation services, though serving a broader range of company sizes.
• ITRex Group: AI and software consulting firm providing AI strategy, data engineering, and custom development. Comparable to 1771 as an AI consulting service provider, though larger and focused on enterprise/mid-market clients.
• Smith.ai: Combines AI with human assistants to deliver SMB services (call answering, outreach). Closely comparable to 1771 in combining AI automation with a human-concierge, done-with-you delivery model for small businesses.
• Markovate: AI development and consulting agency serving SMB and mid-market clients across workflow automation and AI integration. Directly comparable as a custom AI consulting/automation services firm in the same category as 1771.

Broad incumbents

• Vendasta: SMB-focused platform selling AI-powered marketing, sales, and operations tools via a partner channel. Comparable to 1771 as an SMB AI enablement provider, though Vendasta operates a broader platform/partner model rather than local consulting.
• Zapier: Dominant no-code automation platform widely adopted by SMBs. Comparable to 1771 in the workflow automation domain but a potential substitute as it empowers SMBs to self-serve automations that 1771 currently builds for them.
• Keap: CRM and marketing automation platform built specifically for small businesses, with growing AI capabilities. Comparable to 1771 in targeting SMBs needing AI-enabled workflow automation, and potential substitute via self-serve product.

Emerging players

• Lately.ai: AI-powered content and social automation platform marketed to SMBs and marketing teams. Comparable to 1771 because both target non-technical small business owners seeking AI-driven workflow automation without coding.
• Sintra.ai: AI assistant platform marketed to solopreneurs and small businesses for sales, marketing, and operations automation. Comparable to 1771 in offering SMB-focused AI workflow automation, though delivered as a self-serve product rather than consulting.

Regional players

• Larsen Digital: Midwest-based digital consultancy offering marketing automation and CRM implementation for SMBs. Comparable to 1771 as a small, regionally focused consulting firm serving small business clients with workflow automation and CRM expertise.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights4 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/1771co

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 1771