Brace yourself: a new AI-driven investment engine is rising to revitalize traditional services businesses. Misha Saul, the investor who rode a high-profile venture-capital controversy last year, joins forces with a former Silicon Valley CEO to launch Dragonfly, an AI-native holding company aimed at acquiring service-oriented companies and reshaping their futures with artificial intelligence.
Saul first drew widespread attention during the Strongroom AI episode, where he led EVP’s investment in a pharmacy software startup and later flagged concerns about its financial disclosures. This controversy catapulted him into the limelight, highlighting the thorny intersection of rapid tech funding and due diligence.
The new venture, Dragonfly, intends to purchase service firms and apply AI-driven strategies to improve efficiency, customer experience, and profitability. The founders believe AI can unlock latent value in mature, knowledge-based service businesses by automating routine tasks, optimizing workflows, and enabling smarter decision-making across operations.
Tess Bennett, a technology reporter with The Australian Financial Review based in Brisbane, offers context on transportation of industry news and the people behind it. She previously covered work and careers, and readers can reach out via Signal for updates. This article includes subscription options for readers who want ongoing access to AFR’s reporting.
As Dragonfly moves from concept to execution, industry watchers will be watching closely to see whether an AI-first approach can translate into tangible gains for traditional services companies, and how this strategy will balance innovation with risk, governance, and practical implementation across diverse business models.
If you have a view on whether AI-led transformations can sustain long-term value for service businesses—or if you’re curious about potential ethical or market implications—share your thoughts in the comments.
