How can artificial intelligence really help people? In this episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV, host Katie Bavoso speaks with Hans Mize, President and Founder of Data41, to explore how his company evolved from a traditional VAR to an AI-powered independent software vendor with real-world impact.
Hans shares Data41's nearly 20-year journey, including pivotal acquisitions, strategic shifts, and how AI has opened the door to innovation in life sciences and social services. From speeding donor eligibility decisions in tissue banks to helping clinicians spend more time with at-risk youth, this conversation focuses on use cases for AI that go far beyond automation and save time, resources, and lives.
Topic and timecode
00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview Introducing Data41 and how AI can help humans, not replace them.
01:18 – Founding Data 41 (2006) Why Hans founded the company and his early challenges as a VAR
03:16 – From VAR to ISV How market changes and AI are bringing new business models
07:20 – Building an AI practice Data41 hires first AI engineer and initial experiments
09:19 – AI in social services Partners with McKinley Children’s Center to support at-risk youth
10:55 – Entering life sciences Developing AI for tissue banking and donor eligibility workflows
13:57 – AI Software Commercialization Turn custom projects into scalable products
16:35 – Impact of AI on the human body Why precision and speed are important when human lives are at stake
17:31 – Reduce clinician burnout Use AI to reduce paperwork and increase face time with children
22:53 – How AI customer conversations have evolved from “Can you help me with AI?” to a results-driven strategy
25:57 – Current AI obstacles: trust, training data, niche industries, adoption challenges
29:18 – Data41’s AI Focus on Life Sciences, Social Services, and Selective Custom Projects for 2026
32:03 – The value of the partner ecosystem The role of IBM, Ingram Micro, and Microsoft in Data41’s growth
37:38 – Advice for aspiring founders: Lessons learned from nearly 20 years in business
40:07 – Where to learn more about Data41 How to connect with Hans and the Data41 team
