How FOUNT Helps Companies Maximize AI Productivity

originally published by Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs

As companies look to increase workplace efficiencies, many are turning to artificial intelligence to streamline workflows and achieve measurable results. In fact, 75% of general knowledge workers now use AI, with nearly half adopting it within the past six months. But 77% of employees using AI say it increases their workloads and nearly half don’t know how to achieve the productivity gains.

While pressure mounts to show ROI from AI investments, organizations may inadvertently add friction to employees’ existing workflows and potentially impact productivity.. Addressing these barriers is important for companies aiming to balance technological innovation with employee well-being.

FOUNT: Identifying and Eliminating Friction

FOUNT Global, Inc. is a startup that identifies workplace inefficiencies and helps organizations boost productivity and drive business transformations using focused micro surveys that show exactly where to intervene to maximize AI productivity gains. While traditional employee surveys ask about job satisfaction and if they have the right tools to do their jobs, FOUNT surveys pinpoint the root causes of friction, measures their impact, and prioritizes actionable solutions. Their technology evaluates key workflow elements, including time spent on tasks, the efficacy of tools, and the interplay between human and digital touchpoints.

According to FOUNT, companies that use their services tend to reduce costs, improve employee retention, and increase Employee Net Promoter Scores (eNPS)—a key indicator of workplace satisfaction. Crucially, FOUNT also evaluates the success of AI implementations so companies can determine the ROI of their investment.

“We help determine if these tools are actually working and identify areas for improvement.” — Christophe Martel, Co-Founder & CEO FOUNT

The idea for FOUNT was born from Martel’s personal frustrations while managing a 150-person team. Despite his best efforts, he lacked the data needed to understand employee pain points. The problem persisted even when he transitioned to a Chief HR Officer role, where he realized the broader, industry-wide nature of work friction.

“It just doesn’t make any sense,” said Martel. “Companies have transformed customer experiences. Shopping is simple. Returns are simple. Why can’t working at a company be as seamless as shopping online?”

To tackle the problem, Martel teamed up with co-founder Volker Jacobs to build a SaaS platform that identifies and resolves these challenges. The solution quickly gained traction, with FOUNT raising $10.75 million in venture capital funding and landing major Fortune 100 customers. One FOUNT client, a healthcare provider, faced 30% employee attrition rates among new call center employees. By addressing friction points with FOUNT, the company saved $13.4 million by curbing the workplace turnover.

In the fall of 2024, FOUNT joined the AI accelerator program at Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs. The program connected FOUNT with Comcast NBCUniversal executives, opening doors to potential partnerships and valuable feedback. Martel said,

“The accelerator has been invaluable. We’ve gained insights on everything from pricing to refining our value proposition. It’s helping us level up and demonstrate our impact to large enterprises.”

Looking Ahead: A Frictionless Future

FOUNT envisions a future where its data-driven insights influence every aspect of the workday. By providing continuous improvement loops, the company aims to help organizations create environments where employees can thrive.

“For us,” Martel emphasized, “our mission is clear: make it easier for employees to do their best work, every single day.”

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For anyone curious, here’s our latest case study showing how FOUNT helped reduce friction for developers using AI tools – and revealed exactly where adoption was stalling: https://getfount.com/resource/case-study-leveraging-genai-tools-developers/