Affinda buys Pathfindr in $15 million AI deal

Melbourne-based Affinda Group has acquired Pathfindr, a firm offering AI staff training services, in an all-scrip deal worth $15 million.

Pathfindr is the fourth business to sit under the Affinda umbrella alongside legal software company Draftable, capital advisory firm Vesparum, and the group’s titular document processing scaleup.

Founded in 2023 by Dawid Naude, former head of Accenture Australia’s AI practice, Pathfindr helps organisations accelerate AI adoption through structured training and hands-on support. Its client roster includes the Victorian Government and Honey Insurance.

“Being part of Affinda Group gives us the scale, technical firepower, and global reach to unlock real AI value for more organisations,” Naude said in a statement.

“Rolling 100% of our equity into Affinda Group reflects our conviction in what we can achieve together.”

In case you hadn’t noticed, the world is somewhat divided about the efficacy of AI.

On one side you have people who talk about AI as a way to make (or save) money.

On the other side are people warning about how certain AI products resemble resource hungry plagiarism and copyright infringement machines that may or may not be driving people psychotic.

Affinda is in the former category.

“The fastest way to create value from AI is clear: get your people using AI effectively and automate your core business processes,” said Timonthy Toner, co-founder and CEO of Affinda Group.

“Customers consistently tell us they are overwhelmed by AI – where to start, how to scale, and how to ensure it delivers lasting value. And technology is only half the battle. Adoption is where value is won or lost.”

Toner added that Pathfindr, the company he just bought, was “the best … at cutting through the noise and helping people use AI every day”.

Affinda and Pathfindr’s $15 million dual AI action comes as the International Monetary Fund and Bank of England are the latest to suggest that this whole AI craze might just be a bubble after all.