Tobiko, a data transformation startup founded by Tyson Mao, Toby Mao, and Iaroslav Zeigerman, is making waves in the tech industry with its innovative approach to data management. While Tyson and Toby have made a name for themselves in various fields, including speedcubing and television, their latest venture, Tobiko, is set to redefine how teams interact with data.
The company’s mission is to revolutionize data workflows by providing a dbt-compatible data transformation platform that leverages open source projects like SQLMesh and SQLGlot. With a focus on user-friendly interfaces and intuitive tools for building data pipelines and transformations, Tobiko is poised to streamline data processes for teams of all sizes.
Recently, Tobiko announced the launch of its cloud platform alongside a significant funding milestone of $21.8 million, comprising a seed round of $4.5 million and a Series A round of $17.3 million. Notable investors such as Theory Ventures, 20Sales, George Fraser, Boris Jabes, and Jordan Tigani have shown their support for Tobiko’s vision.
Toby Mao, drawing from his experience at Airbnb, recognized the importance of efficient data transformation in unlocking business value. He highlighted the need for a scalable data platform that caters to companies of all sizes, not just early-stage startups. This led to the development of Tobiko’s modern data platform, which integrates tools like SQLMesh and SQLGlot to enhance data processing capabilities.
At the core of Tobiko’s platform is SQLMesh, a tool designed to simplify data pipeline development, testing, and collaboration. By understanding SQL queries at a deeper level, Tobiko’s platform offers enhanced productivity and efficiency for data engineers. Additionally, features like syntax checking and change tracking ensure data integrity and facilitate a seamless development process.
Tyson Mao emphasized Tobiko’s commitment to providing observability tools that not only identify issues but also pinpoint the root cause. By analyzing code changes and versions, Tobiko offers a comprehensive view of data transformations, enabling teams to troubleshoot effectively and enhance overall system reliability.
Moreover, Tobiko introduces the concept of “virtual data environments,” allowing developers to create reusable data sets for various projects. This flexibility caters to the evolving needs of data engineering teams and promotes efficiency in data management practices.
Currently, Tobiko is engaging with a diverse range of customers, including unicorn startups, and is gaining traction among data engineering teams seeking a comprehensive data transformation solution. With a focus on scalability, usability, and observability, Tobiko is poised to reshape the data landscape and empower teams to unlock the full potential of their data assets.