Swedish AI company Sana, known for its innovative AI-driven training tools and digital learning solutions, has been acquired by the American tech giant Workday for $1.1 billion (SEK 10.2 billion). Founded by Joel Hellermark at the age of 19, Sana has become a key player in the rapidly evolving AI sector, attracting significant interest from global tech leaders.
Workday, a publicly listed company specializing in enterprise software for financial and human resources management, has now added Sana’s cutting-edge AI technology to its portfolio. This acquisition aligns with Workday’s strategy to revolutionize the workplace by enhancing productivity and learning through intelligent systems.
A Vision for the Future
“Our focus has always been to create intuitive AI tools that revolutionize how people learn and work,” said Joel Hellermark, founder and CEO of Sana. “I’m excited to extend these innovations to 75 million Workday users, collaborating with Workday’s iconic team to usher in a new era of superintelligence for work.”
Hellermark’s vision for Sana has always been to harness AI to simplify complex business processes and enhance learning experiences. The acquisition by Workday will enable the company to scale its technology to a much wider audience, with the potential to transform industries and redefine how businesses train and support their workforce.
A Strong Future for Sana and Its Employees
Despite the acquisition, Sana will continue to operate from its headquarters in Stockholm, maintaining its brand identity and led by Hellermark. The company’s current team of around 300 employees is set to expand rapidly, with plans to grow to 800 by the end of 2026. “We’re going to accelerate our team’s growth and continue building a platform where the world’s most ambitious talents can create their life’s work,” Hellermark told Dagens Industri.
Sana’s rapid growth has been a testament to the company’s innovative approach to AI-driven learning. From its humble beginnings in 2016 to its recent valuation of $500 million in 2024, Sana has seen an extraordinary rise. The company had over one million global customers by the time of its last funding round, underscoring its broad appeal and success.
A Strategic Acquisition
“Sana’s team, their AI-driven approach, and elegant design fit perfectly into our vision of transforming the future of work,” said Gerrit Kazmaier, head of product and technology at Workday. The acquisition will not only strengthen Workday’s position in the AI space but also enable it to offer more powerful learning and development solutions to its vast customer base.
The largest shareholder in Sana Labs is Joel Hellermark, with venture capital firms EQT and New Enterprise Associates also holding significant stakes.
As the future of work continues to be shaped by artificial intelligence, this acquisition represents a significant step forward for both Sana and Workday. For Hellermark, it’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the evolution of AI tools for businesses and organizations worldwide.
About Sana
Founded in 2016, Sana (formerly Sana Labs) has quickly emerged as one of Sweden’s leading AI startups. The company specializes in creating AI-driven solutions for businesses to improve their learning and training systems. Over the years, it has expanded its focus to include intelligent agents capable of providing real-time support and automation for a variety of business functions.
With this acquisition, Sana’s ambitious mission to enhance workplace learning and productivity will reach new heights under the backing of a global tech leader.