Seattle-based technology investor and business leader Mark Nelson, the former Tableau CEO, has joined the board of Zurich-based company Veezoo, which specializes in self-serve, AI-powered data analytics. Veezoo’s conversational AI interface allows non-technical business users to ask questions about their data and generate visualizations. This contrasts with tools like Tableau and PowerBI that require deep expertise and engagement with specialists. Nelson was motivated to join the Veezoo board to help make data-driven insights more accessible to a broader audience.
Nelson retired as Tableau CEO in December 2022 and invested in Veezoo in late 2023. This investment and his board seat are separate from his role as a venture partner with Madrona Venture Group. He now joins Veezoo’s board along with the three co-founders: Marcos Monteiro (CEO), JP Monteiro (CTO), and Till Haug (COO). Nelson is selective about his startup engagements and is also on the board of CircleCI, with plans for a third undisclosed board seat. His introduction to Veezoo was through a former exchange student whom he hosted, who suggested that he meet with the Veezoo founders.
Veezoo has set itself apart by offering a conversational approach to data visualization through AI chat interfaces. The company was founded in 2016 and has since adopted generative AI in recent years. Nelson recognized the value in Veezoo’s technology, noting the seamless and accurate nature of their approach. While other companies offer AI chat interfaces, Veezoo’s combination of a specialized data processing engine with an AI-driven natural language interface sets it apart. The company has raised about $1 million in funding from angel investors and is profitable, with revenue in the seven figures annually.
Marcos Monteiro, the Veezoo CEO, stated that they have proven the effectiveness of large language models working in critical areas without hallucination. With thousands of customers at enterprise clients such as large insurance companies and retailers, Veezoo continues to expand while maintaining profitability. The company currently has a team of 12 employees, including software developers from ETH Zurich, a top computer science school in Europe. Veezoo is now poised to expand into the U.S. market, with plans to hire in areas such as sales and marketing, potentially in the Seattle region.
Nelson expressed support for Veezoo’s expansion into the U.S. market and encouraged the company to hire in the region. With Veezoo’s focus on making data-driven insights accessible to non-technical users, Nelson’s experience as the former Tableau CEO makes him a valuable addition to the company’s board of directors. The combination of Veezoo’s specialized data processing engine and AI-driven natural language interface represents a unique approach to data analytics, enabling non-technical users to generate visualizations and gain insights from their data. With Veezoo’s profitability and plans for growth, Nelson’s expertise and guidance will be instrumental in helping the company succeed in the competitive data analytics market.
