AI data-labeling startup Handshake has acquired Cleanlab, TechCrunch reported on Jan. 28 local time. Cleanlab developed software to improve the quality of data produced by human labelers. TechCrunch said the acquisition is aimed at securing talent.

Through the acquisition, Handshake hired 9 key Cleanlab personnel into its research organization. They include MIT-trained Cleanlab co-founders Curtis Northcutt, Jonas Mueller and Anish Athalye.

Cleanlab has raised $30 million from Menlo Ventures, TQ Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures and Databricks Ventures, among others. It once had more than 30 employees. TechCrunch said Cleanlab’s researchers are strong at developing algorithms that automatically detect incorrect data without additional review.

Sahil Bairwala (사힐 바이왈라), Handshake’s chief strategy and innovation officer, said, "The Cleanlab team has studied data quality issues for a long time, and this acquisition will further improve the precision of AI data."

Cleanlab had received acquisition offers from other AI data-labeling companies, but chose Handshake. It rated highly that Handshake operates a platform that uses professionals such as doctors, lawyers and scientists for data labeling.