japeto

Who are Japeto?
Japeto is a full-service software development agency based in Harlow, Essex, dedicated to making AI safer and more effective for organisations that can’t afford to get it wrong. Our mission is to deliver impactful, innovative solutions that empower healthcare providers, educators, local governments, startups, and charities to tackle real-world challenges with confidence.

With over a decade of experience, Japeto has established itself as a team of creative problem-solvers who specialise in crafting unique digital products that make a difference. From healthcare chatbots to AI-powered tools, we combine cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of our clients’ needs. A highlight of our journey is receiving Innovate UK’s prestigious Smart Grant funding, which has allowed us to pioneer transformative AI solutions.

Our expertise spans a diverse range of software products, including websites, web apps, mobile apps, chatbots, and API development. We’ve had the privilege of working with an array of organisations, from grassroots charities to international enterprises, always ensuring that our solutions are tailored, robust, and future-ready.

At Japeto, we believe in building lasting partnerships. Whether it’s enhancing an existing system or bringing a new idea to life, we’re committed to working hand-in-hand with our clients, offering ongoing support and a genuine passion for their success. Choosing Japeto means choosing a team that cares deeply about your project, your goals, and your growth.

What have you been up to in 2024?
2024 has been a milestone year for Japeto. We completed the beta of Japeto Chat, our flagship AI chatbot platform, in April 2024. This work was partially funded by Innovate UK’s Smart Grant and has been the culmination of 18 months of R&D.

Japeto Chat is now available for beta testers – designed with robust security requirements for the NHS, our AI tools are built to be simple enough to use for  automating simple customer support questions at a small business or securely processing appointments at a GP. (https://www.japeto.ai/affordable-ai-assistants/)

One of our early partnerships for developing Japeto Chat has been Harlow College (https://www.harlow-college.ac.uk/). This fall, we got to see their chatbot go live. This has been the result of a lot of hard work from the student-led Chatbot Club at the college, who worked with the Japeto team to learn AI, design the chatbot conversation, . A seminar we ran in 2023, where participants learned about AI and designed a bespoke chatbot for their college using our technology.

Making AI useful – even for organisations with extra regulations or privacy concerns – has continued to be key to our work. We’ve joined the Alan Turing Way Practitioner Hub and two our team are Experts in Residence. https://www.turing.ac.uk/turing-way-practitioners-hub/eirs Joining the Turing Way has created great opportunities for collaboration on AI safety initiatives, exploring ethical AI issues and diving in governance.

We originally got into AI by creating the first ever AI sexual health chatbot in the UK. “Pat” can help answer sexual health questions 24/7 and even book HIV testing appointments. This year, we’ve had a great opportunity to share our learnings about community-led chatbot development in the HIV sector at the British HIV Association (BHIVA) Sprint Conference. https://www.japeto.ai/presenting-pat-at-bhiva-spring-2024-conference/ Along with Positive East, we’re proud to have taken home the Martin Fisher award for best oral presentation at the end of the event!

Japeto is based in the Arise Innovation Hub in Harlow, an entrepreneurial ecosystem powered by Anglia Ruskin University. Arise has opened up some great opportunities for our business, including to host an intern who developed a dynamic “health score” tool to automatically evaluate chatbot conversation quality. https://www.japeto.ai/uzair-internship/

Our work was further bolstered by winning the ABOVE grant from Arise and Essex County Council. This funding enabled us to develop a local server system to safely run large language models without relying on the cloud or third-party providers. This innovation ensures that organisations with sensitive commercial or ethical data can confidently adopt AI technologies.

Alongside building AI, we’re continuing to partner with start-ups to take their business from idea to reality. Here are some projects we’ve been excited to work on this year:

• Developing the mobile app for Jam Up! that assists caretakers of autistic children with daily routines like dressing and brushing teeth.
• A new pop-up shop management platform that makes it easy for artists to consign their products.
• An AI tool to streamline proposal creation for a busy telecoms company with highly sensitive training data that had to be securely hosted.
• A new recycling app that helps corporations achieve greener operations.

What are your plans for the future?
At Japeto, we’re problem-solvers at heart, and our future is all about finding new challenges to tackle and opportunities to innovate. Our flagship product, Japeto Chat, our no-code platform for building and managing AI Assistants, is at the core of our growth plans.

In the coming years, we are expanding Japeto Chat with advanced integrations, deeper analytics, and better app integration features. Our goal is to make AI Assistants as effortless as possible for developers to implement—just plug-and-play.

Beyond technology, our sights are set on global expansion. You’ll see us taking Japeto Chat and our other solutions to the European and American markets, sharing our vision for safe, effective AI with a broader audience.

Growth is also about people, and we’re excited to grow our team. We’re looking to bring on more passionate, innovative thinkers who share our mission to make AI accessible and safe for organisations across the globe.

The future for Japeto is about scaling up, reaching out, and continuing to deliver AI solutions that make a genuine difference for our clients and their communities.

Do you think Essex is a place for business? If yes, why?
Absolutely! Essex—and specifically Harlow—has been an exceptional base for Japeto. What truly sets this area apart is the sense of community and the opportunity to collaborate with genuine, forward-thinking partners.

The commitment from organisations like Essex County Council and Harlow Council to fostering a thriving tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem is evident. Initiatives like the Ambitious Essex Showcase in September highlight their dedication to celebrating innovation and supporting local businesses.

The Arise Hubs in Harlow and Chelmsford are particularly vibrant spaces. They’re buzzing with activity, fostering connections, and providing resources that make them ideal environments for tech-driven businesses like ours.

Harlow itself is on a growth trajectory. From the renovation of the town centre to the expansion of new developments, the area is evolving into an even better place to live, work, and innovate.

When we moved out of London in 2020 during the lockdown, we found an ecosystem in Essex that immediately felt right. The collaborative spirit, supportive infrastructure, and potential for growth made it an obvious choice to stay—and we couldn’t be happier with our decision.

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