Aaru commits to New York growth with more than 650 planned jobs

Aaru plans to add more than 650 jobs in New York City over the next five years, Governor Kathy Hochul announced on November 13, 2026. The Manhattan-based AI company will keep its growth in New York, pairing the hiring push with a larger office near Union Square and a commitment to research and development in the state.

Aaru helps businesses test new products and ideas before taking them to market. The company was founded in New York City two years ago, according to Empire State Development President and CEO Hope Knight. Its current workforce numbers about 60 employees.

A larger Union Square footprint

The expansion calls for leasing and building out more than 27,000 square feet of office space near Union Square. That gives the announcement a physical component alongside its hiring target: Aaru is planning a larger workplace as it grows its New York operations.

The planned workforce would reach more than 700 employees, up from about 60 today. Those figures describe the company’s intended scale, rather than hiring already completed; the announcement sets a five-year period for creating the additional jobs.

We made a deliberate decision to build Aaru in New York City. The depth and diversity of talent here, proximity to the world’s largest enterprises, and the city’s history of innovation make it the right place for what we’re building.

Cameron Fink, Aaru co-founder and CEO

New York’s case for keeping Aaru

Hochul presented Aaru’s decision as evidence that New York’s investments in computing power, research and talent are attracting companies and jobs. That was the governor’s explanation for the expansion; Fink’s stated reasons focused on the city’s workforce, enterprise customers and history of innovation.

The commitment also extends beyond office capacity and headcount. Aaru plans to invest in New York to make the state the home of its research and development operations, anchoring that work alongside its planned workforce growth.