ElevenLabs' CEO explains why the startup is adding an engineer to every non-technical team

In a bold move to foster innovation and collaboration, ElevenLabs is integrating engineers into every non-technical team within the company. CEO Mati Staniszewski shared this strategic shift during a recent discussion hosted by Sequoia Capital. He emphasized the importance of having an engineer embedded in teams such as human resources, marketing, and legal to facilitate automation and skill enhancement. Staniszewski, who co-founded the voice AI startup in 2022, noted that this initiative allows non-technical teams to actively engage in tool development. "With an engineer on board, we can achieve remarkable outcomes, whether it's streamlining hiring processes or analyzing past successes to inform future strategies," he explained. The team has already implemented tools like a scoring system for sales and marketing efforts, which has proven invaluable in negotiations. Earlier this year, ElevenLabs secured $500 million in a Series D funding round, elevating its valuation to an impressive $11 billion. Founded in London, the company had grown to 350 employees by November, according to investor Andreessen Horowitz. This organizational model aligns with a growing trend where teams are encouraged to take full ownership of their projects, becoming self-sufficient in both product development and marketing. Each of ElevenLabs' approximately 20 micro-teams, consisting of five to ten members, is responsible for a specific product area, such as studio interfaces or voice agents. This structure promotes agility and accountability. Executives from other AI coding startups, like Cognition and Kilo, echo the sentiment that ownership is crucial for attracting and retaining talent. Emily Cohen, head of people and operations at Cognition, remarked, "When you see a problem, you solve it—it's not just someone else's responsibility anymore."