As geopolitical tensions intensify, particularly with the ongoing trade disputes spearheaded by leaders like President Donald Trump, businesses worldwide are grappling with increased risks. The rapid changes in trade policies create a challenging environment for companies, nonprofits, consultants, and legal experts alike. Matthew Oresman, Managing Partner at a global law firm, emphasized the overwhelming flow of trade updates, noting, “We are drowning in trade updates every hour of every day.”
To address these challenges, the London-based startup Hence AI has launched Hence Global, an innovative software solution designed to help businesses monitor geopolitical and operational risks. Hence Global employs advanced AI technology to not only track risk assessment but also provide actionable recommendations to mitigate those risks. Additionally, the tool offers consulting and law firms the capability to generate detailed analyses tailored to their client needs.
Sean West, CEO of Hence AI, describes Hence Global as “an AI-powered business advisor that rides alongside you” and is priced at just $1,500 per year for its basic service. This cost-effective approach aims to democratize essential insights that many smaller organizations cannot access due to financial constraints. West notes that traditional advisory services can be prohibitively expensive, making technology a viable alternative for most companies.
With a strong foundation in AI, Hence Global leverages the Palantir Foundry and Artificial Intelligence Platform, allowing it to integrate various AI models that tailor information based on industry needs. The software aggregates data from credible sources, including news headlines, SEC filings, and global sanctions lists, providing businesses with up-to-date information crucial for strategic decision-making.
To illustrate the product’s capabilities, in a recent demonstration, customers were able to create a detailed profile specific to their industry. For instance, a fictional cryptocurrency firm received daily reports highlighting how Trump’s trade policies influenced market volatility and affected crypto asset prices. According to West, the AI tool performs the workload typically assigned to a mid-level analyst, drastically reducing the time required for data synthesis and insights generation.
Furthermore, Hence Global facilitates a deeper understanding of business relations by categorizing companies as clients, competitors, or suppliers, allowing for more nuanced analysis and recommendations. Oresman highlighted the value of such technology in an ocean of information, saying, “Having something like this actually gets it to a water fountain so we can actually do something useful with it.”
While Hence Global has only been operational for a short while, it has quickly attracted clients, including TravelPerk and Diversifi Capital, adapting its services to a variety of sectors. Rohitesh Dhawan, CEO of the International Council on Metals and Mining, benefits from Hence Global’s insights to stay informed about market sentiment and policy developments. He equates its usefulness to that of Uber Eats—an unexpected tool that simplifies real-time information accessibility.
As Hence AI continues to evolve, it will seek additional funding to expand its offerings and further its mission. Declining interest in being absorbed by larger firms indicates a commitment to serving global audiences that typically lack access to quality advice. West’s vision extends to empowering a broader market, ensuring that valuable information is not confined to those who can afford premium consulting fees.