About Us
Artopian Ltd
“Artopian started with a problem we knew all too well – manual processes stealing time from the work that really matters”
In 2022, while working in education, many of our daily tasks around the office were still done by hand. As computer science students, this immediately caught our interest. We began building solutions not for profit, but simply to make life easier and more efficient for the team. After seeing the impact of these first tools, we explored whether other businesses might benefit too.
We began working with a range of sectors – including manufacturers, cosmetic clinics, accountancy firms and multi-academy trusts – to understand their struggles. Through consultancy and bespoke software development, we delivered solutions that improved efficiency while meeting each client’s unique needs. Eventually, we found our primary focus in nurseries. We realised that the challenges they face are shared across the sector, meaning the solutions we create can benefit not just one client but many – driving broad and lasting improvements.
For us, automation has never been about ‘handing over the keys’. It’s about working with businesses to modernise processes in a way that feels safe and transparent. We document every step and introduce changes gradually, so our clients adapt to new ways of working. In this way, we help nurseries step confidently into the future, leaving the weight of administrative burdens behind them.
Jordan Saphir
I earned a first-class Master’s degree in Computer Science from Durham University, graduating among the top three in my cohort. Alongside my degree, I worked on two enrichment projects. The first applied image recognition to financial charts to make trading data more accessible and useful for retail traders. Later, I went on to develop AI models for financial document understanding and built proof-of-concept integrations with client systems.
While not commercialised, this gave us the first ever integration with real systems and formed the core of what would become Artopian. Through this experience, I discovered a passion for independent, entrepreneurial work and realised the potential of using my skills to create solutions that help others in the financial sector.
After graduating, I took on a contract with an established defence engineering firm.
While not commercialised, this gave us the first ever integration with real systems and formed the core of what would become Artopian. Through this experience, I discovered a passion for independent, entrepreneurial work and realised the potential of using my skills to create solutions that help others in the financial sector.
After graduating, I took on a contract with an established defence engineering firm. I led technical research, integrating advanced data science and machine learning models into embedded systems with strict performance constraints.
I led technical research, integrating advanced data science and machine learning models into embedded systems with strict performance constraints.
After months of development, my designs were successfully tested in a three-day live demonstration for senior stakeholders. The product was later showcased at the prestigious Defence Vehicle Dynamics 2024 exhibition. These high-stakes presentations gave me invaluable experience in communicating complex technical concepts to a senior audience, a skill I’ve since leveraged with our clients at Artopian. Shortly after delivering this project, I committed full-time to Artopian, where we signed our first contract soon after.
Artopian allows me to bring together academic excellence, industry experience, and a passion for engineering solutions to help modernise businesses. I am deeply committed to this work and approach each day with the drive to share our solutions and help more businesses thrive.
After graduating, I took on a contract with an established defence engineering firm. I led technical research, integrating advanced data science and machine learning models into embedded systems with strict performance constraints.
Kieran Saphir
I have several years of experience in accounting and finance within the education sector, including roles in both multi-academy trusts and secondary schools. These positions gave me in-depth experience and a strong foundation in financial processes, but also exposed me to the frustrations of manual office admin and how it can slow company progress and take a toll on staff morale.
The work I carried out during this time was highly valuable to Artopian in its early stages.
Working closely with a CFO in a multi-site environment first gave me valuable experience of the complexities involved in managing distributed offices and large teams. More importantly, it gave me direct insight into the value of standardising processes across locations, showing how small efficiency gains can compound into significant cost savings – a principle that now sits at the heart of Artopian.
The work I carried out during this time was highly valuable to Artopian in its early stages.
Working closely with a CFO in a multi-site environment first gave me valuable experience of the complexities involved in managing distributed offices and large teams. More importantly, it gave me direct insight into the value of standardising processes across locations, showing how small efficiency gains can compound into significant cost savings – a principle that now sits at the heart of Artopian.
This understanding not only shaped our approach but also helped us secure our first leads in education and establish valuable industry connections.