ElevenLabs Expands NYC Operations, Adding 230 Jobs and $33M in R&D Investment

ElevenLabs Expands New York City Operations

ElevenLabs, a global leader in artificial intelligence, has announced a significant expansion of its operations in New York City. The move, backed by a $33 million investment in research and development, will create 230 new high-quality jobs and retain 36 existing positions, further solidifying New York City's status as a leading hub for AI innovation.

The company, founded in 2022 by Mati Staniszewski and Piotr Dąbkowski, has rapidly grown from its origins in creating human-like AI voice models to developing a suite of frontier audio technologies. These include an Agents Platform for omnichannel customer engagement and a Creative Platform for generating speech, music, images, and video. ElevenLabs' technologies are used by millions of users and thousands of businesses, ranging from startups to large enterprises.

Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted the significance of ElevenLabs' expansion, stating, "New York is becoming one of the world's premiere destinations for artificial intelligence companies, and ElevenLabs' decision to expand here is proof that our strategy is working." The expansion aligns with the governor's commitment to making New York a national leader in responsible AI development, supported by initiatives like the Empire AI Consortium and workforce training programs.

Investment in AI and Job Creation

As part of the expansion, ElevenLabs will relocate to a larger space at 40 Crosby Street in Manhattan's Soho neighborhood. The company will receive up to $4.4 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits from Empire State Development (ESD), tied to job creation and R&D investments. Nearly 100 of the new roles will be in software engineering, bolstering New York's growing AI and technology workforce.

ESD President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight emphasized the importance of ElevenLabs' presence in New York, saying, "ElevenLabs is at the forefront of innovation in generative AI audio, and its expansion in New York City reinforces our state's leadership in attracting the world's most dynamic technology companies." The investment is expected to deepen New York's talent pool and support cutting-edge R&D that strengthens the growing AI ecosystem.

The Broader Impact on New York's AI Ecosystem

ElevenLabs' expansion underscores New York's commitment to fostering responsible AI development. The state's initiatives, including the Empire AI Consortium and workforce training programs, aim to build an ecosystem that attracts world-class companies, strengthens research capacity, and prepares New Yorkers for future jobs. By locating in Manhattan, ElevenLabs joins a network of AI firms, universities, and innovation partners advancing New York's vision as a global hub for next-generation AI technologies.

Assemblymember Steve Otis praised the expansion, noting, "News of the ElevenLabs expansion is another success story in New York's program to attract cutting-edge technology growth." The state's educated workforce, economic development efforts, and the synergy created by bringing technology innovators together continue to make New York an attractive destination for AI companies.