AlphaSights

AlphaSights is one of the larger expert networks. It was founded in 2008 and became one of the first firms to successfully reduce GLG’s market dominance, growing in tandem with Third Bridge. Subsequently, a large crop of expert networks have followed suit in the growing expert network industry. The AlphaSights founders had a background in strategy consulting.

Looking to use an expert network? Try these resources:

1. Guide to getting started with expert networks.

2. Compare AlphaSights to other expert networks.

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The history of Alphasights

When AlphaSights started out, GLG was dependent on its traditional static network. Experts were recruited proactively, on fairs and from telephone directories. Onboarding an expert was time-consuming and complex. AlphaSights, lacking a database of experts, began recruiting experts directly for live projects. To enable this, they sped up the onboarding of experts, with modern tech tools and user-friendly interfaces. This business model’s success was supported by the even faster growth of LinkedIn. Today, the company combines a large database with custom recruiting and is one of the larger expert networks around. We cover the exciting history of expert networks here. For the curious, check out this AlphaSights company presentation at the 2012 NOAH London conference, where the founders explain their business model.

AlphaSights initially focused on core services

Whereas many other larger expert networks have long offered a range of alternative expertise services (such as transcript libraries, live conferences with experts, etc.), AlphaSights long stuck to their core service, only offering expert calls or meetings.

Nowadays, though, the company also offers surveys, insights projects (similar to GLG's Integrated Insights), and a content library named AlphaNow. Starting September 2025, AlphaNow began incorporating hundreds of new expert insights weekly, all searchable through its algorithm. They have also developed a proprietary conversational interface, AlphaGPT, and a knowledge graph, AlphaGraph, leveraging machine learning to connect expert-to-company relationships.

Growth, awards and notable events

In 2025, AlphaSights updated its website, stating it had more than 2,000 employees, up from 1,500 employees in June 2024.

Its associates manage both research (expert recruitment), client account management, and sales for their accounts. This differs from GLG and Third Bridge, who have separated the research role and customer-facing sales roles. As a result, AlphaSights has kept a higher productivity/ yield per employee than most peers and managed to retain key employees. The company has established its name as an attractive employer, receiving multiple Best Workplace Awards in recent years.

AlphaSights was featured in our expert network benchmarking from June-July 2018, receiving one of the highest rankings. We've also identified them as a global leader in the recurring expert network market sizing. The company has no connection to the India-based expert network Insight Alpha.

In January 2025, Alphasights filed a trademark infringement and unfair competition lawsuit against AlphaSense, in the Southern District of New York. AlphaSights alleges that the similar names and AlphaSense's use of "AS Expert Insights" are causing widespread confusion among clients and experts. AlphaSights contends that this confusion is damaging its brand reputation, especially when customers are dissatisfied with AlphaSense's directly competing services. In August the same year, the court denied AlphaSense's motion to dismiss key claims, allowing the case for trademark infringement and dilution to proceed. The parties have until Nov 16, 2026 to "gather baseline evidence" on their perspective, and then until April 7, 2027 to collect expert witness testimonials, before proceeding to a jury trial.

In November 2025, AlphaSights filed a second, separate lawsuit against AlphaSense in Ireland's Commercial Court, naming both AlphaSense Inc. and its subsidiary Tegus Ltd. Alongside a trademark claim, the filing includes a "passing off claim" - essentially arguing that AlphaSense's branding is close enough to AlphaSights' to confuse customers about which company they're dealing with, and that this confusion is damaging AlphaSights' reputation. The filing also points to AlphaSense's "AlphaSummit" conference as an example of this ongoing confusion. AlphaSights is seeking damages and an injunction. As with the US case, these are allegations that have not been adjudicated.

AlphaSights' historic milestones

• 2008 - Founded in London, backed by a €3m investment from Acton Capital.

• 2011 - New York office opened

• 2012 - Hong Kong office opened

• 2013 - Dubai office opened

• 2015 - San Francisco office opened

• 2016 - Hamburg, Shanghai and Seoul offices opened

• 2017 - Tokyo office opened

• 2019 - Inex One identified Alphasights as a global leader in our expert network market sizing.

• 2021 - Second New York office opened

• 2022 - Alphasights hired a new CFO with experience from publicly listed companies.

• 2024 - AlphaSights is reported to have raised $400 million in growth funding atg a $4.2 billion valuation, led by Carlyle with participation from TA Associates.

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AlphaSights spinoffs

Former employees at AlphaSights have gone on to found expert networks, including:

• 2014 - Magellan Research Group launched in New York.

• 2015 - Dialectica launched, headquartered in Athens, Greece.

• 2016 - Tegus launched in San Francisco, offering a content library alongside regular expert calls.

• 2018 - Arbolus launched in London.

• 2021 - Sanibel Group launched in New York, by an ex-Alphasights and Arbolus employee.

• 2024 - AggKnowledge was founded in New York by former AlphaSights and GLG employees. While not an expert network, AggKnowledge builds tech for expert networks and survey firms.

FAQ

What does AlphaSights specialize in? AlphaSights specializes in connecting clients with subject-matter experts through custom-recruiter calls, alongside surveys, insights projects, and a searchable content library (AlphaNow).

Is AlphaSights the same company as AlphaSense? No. AlphaSights is an independent expert network; AlphaSense operates a separate transcript library and market intelligence platform. The similarity between the names has caused enough real-world confusion that AlphaSights has filed trademark lawsuits against AlphaSense in both the US and Ireland, both currently ongoing.

Is AlphaSights related to Insight Alpha?

No. AlphaSights has no connection to Insight Alpha, an India-based expert network.

Is AlphaSights available on Inex One?

No - AlphaSights is not available on or affiliated with Inex One.

Looking for expert network options? Explore active partners on the Inex One marketplace.