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Partly Moves Global HQ to Austin, Plans Hundreds of New Jobs After $50 M Series B
Partly, the AI‑driven software company that is turning the automotive repair supply chain on its head, announced on Tuesday that it will relocate its global headquarters from New Zealand to Austin, Texas. The announcement follows a $50 million Series B round led by DST Global Partners, which puts the company’s valuation at $500 million.
Founded in 2020 in the United Kingdom, Partly has built the Interpreter AI model, a tool that automates the complex workflows involved in vehicle repairs. Its clientele includes major automakers such as Toyota and Hyundai, as well as resale firms like Arnold Clark.
"We chose Austin because the talent here is exceptional and the cost of living is more reasonable than in other tech hubs such as the San Francisco Bay Area," CEO and founder Levi Fawcett said. He added that the proximity to the University of Texas and the city’s reputation for producing sales and engineering talent make it an ideal base for expansion.
The company is currently operating from a temporary office in Austin with about 50 employees. Partly plans to move into downtown offices later this year. Fawcett said the company expects to reach 200 employees in Austin by the end of 2027 and to double that number the following year as hiring ramps up.
The relocation also marks Partly’s formal entry into the U.S. market. The $50 million round was backed by DST Global Partners, an investment firm founded by billionaire Yuri Milner. DST Global has previously invested in companies such as Anthropic, Meta, Airbnb and Spotify.
Austin has become a magnet for technology firms in the wake of the pandemic. The city, often referred to as Silicon Hills, has attracted companies ranging from Oracle and Tesla to newer entrants such as Togetherwork. The trend reflects Austin’s reputation for a favorable regulatory environment and a growing talent base.
Partly’s move is part of a broader pattern of AI startups seeking to establish a presence in the U.S. market. The company’s Interpreter model has reportedly achieved a 60 % F1 score on its own benchmarks, compared with 1–5 % for general AI models applied to the same domain.
The company’s expansion plans are supported by the recent funding, which will enable it to scale its product, deepen its customer relationships and build out its Austin operations.
The relocation is expected to create a number of new jobs in the region. While the company has not yet disclosed a specific hiring timeline beyond the projected workforce figures, it has indicated that the majority of its hiring will take place in Austin.
Partly’s move to Austin underscores the city’s growing role as a hub for AI and automotive technology. The company’s focus on automating repair workflows aligns with broader industry trends toward digitization and efficiency in the automotive supply chain.
As Partly prepares to launch its U.S. operations, the company’s leadership has emphasized the importance of local talent and the supportive ecosystem in Austin. The company’s next steps will involve establishing a permanent office, expanding its workforce, and continuing to develop its AI platform for the automotive repair market.
The company’s future milestones include the completion of its downtown office move, the scaling of its interpreter model to additional clients, and the continued growth of its workforce in Austin. The company’s expansion is expected to contribute to the local economy and to the broader AI and automotive sectors.
In summary, Partly’s relocation to Austin, backed by a significant investment round, signals a strategic push into the U.S. market and a commitment to building a substantial local presence in a city known for its technology talent and supportive business environment.
Founded in 2020 in the United Kingdom, Partly has built the Interpreter AI model, a tool that automates the complex workflows involved in vehicle repairs. Its clientele includes major automakers such as Toyota and Hyundai, as well as resale firms like Arnold Clark.
"We chose Austin because the talent here is exceptional and the cost of living is more reasonable than in other tech hubs such as the San Francisco Bay Area," CEO and founder Levi Fawcett said. He added that the proximity to the University of Texas and the city’s reputation for producing sales and engineering talent make it an ideal base for expansion.
The company is currently operating from a temporary office in Austin with about 50 employees. Partly plans to move into downtown offices later this year. Fawcett said the company expects to reach 200 employees in Austin by the end of 2027 and to double that number the following year as hiring ramps up.
The relocation also marks Partly’s formal entry into the U.S. market. The $50 million round was backed by DST Global Partners, an investment firm founded by billionaire Yuri Milner. DST Global has previously invested in companies such as Anthropic, Meta, Airbnb and Spotify.
Austin has become a magnet for technology firms in the wake of the pandemic. The city, often referred to as Silicon Hills, has attracted companies ranging from Oracle and Tesla to newer entrants such as Togetherwork. The trend reflects Austin’s reputation for a favorable regulatory environment and a growing talent base.
Partly’s move is part of a broader pattern of AI startups seeking to establish a presence in the U.S. market. The company’s Interpreter model has reportedly achieved a 60 % F1 score on its own benchmarks, compared with 1–5 % for general AI models applied to the same domain.
The company’s expansion plans are supported by the recent funding, which will enable it to scale its product, deepen its customer relationships and build out its Austin operations.
The relocation is expected to create a number of new jobs in the region. While the company has not yet disclosed a specific hiring timeline beyond the projected workforce figures, it has indicated that the majority of its hiring will take place in Austin.
Partly’s move to Austin underscores the city’s growing role as a hub for AI and automotive technology. The company’s focus on automating repair workflows aligns with broader industry trends toward digitization and efficiency in the automotive supply chain.
As Partly prepares to launch its U.S. operations, the company’s leadership has emphasized the importance of local talent and the supportive ecosystem in Austin. The company’s next steps will involve establishing a permanent office, expanding its workforce, and continuing to develop its AI platform for the automotive repair market.
The company’s future milestones include the completion of its downtown office move, the scaling of its interpreter model to additional clients, and the continued growth of its workforce in Austin. The company’s expansion is expected to contribute to the local economy and to the broader AI and automotive sectors.
In summary, Partly’s relocation to Austin, backed by a significant investment round, signals a strategic push into the U.S. market and a commitment to building a substantial local presence in a city known for its technology talent and supportive business environment.
