New York City’s growing role as a center for artificial intelligence innovation continued this week as Governor Kathy Hochul announced that ElevenLabs, a global leader in AI voice and generative technology, will expand its U.S. operations in SoHo, creating 230 new jobs and deepening its investment in the city’s tech economy.
The London based company, known for its advanced AI voice models and creative tools used by millions of people worldwide, will relocate its existing Manhattan office to a larger space at 40 Crosby Street in SoHo. The move signals confidence in New York City’s talent pool and positions the neighborhood as a hub for cutting edge technology alongside its longstanding reputation for creativity and design.
According to the governor’s office, ElevenLabs plans to invest $33 million in research and development as part of the expansion. Nearly 100 of the new jobs will be software engineering roles, with additional positions spanning research, product development, and operations. State officials say the jobs will be high paying and will help strengthen New York’s position in the increasingly competitive global race for AI talent.
Governor Hochul framed the announcement as part of a broader strategy to make New York a leader not only in AI innovation but in responsible AI development. She said the company’s decision to grow in New York reflects the city’s deep bench of technical workers and its ability to attract global firms seeking both talent and cultural energy. The expansion will be supported by up to $4.4 million in performance based tax credits through Empire State Development’s Excelsior Jobs Program, which ties incentives directly to job creation and investment.
ElevenLabs has rapidly gained prominence for its realistic text to speech technology and its expanding suite of AI tools used in media, customer service, education, and creative industries. The company’s leadership said New York City was a natural choice for expansion because of its combination of engineering talent, artistic communities, and access to major business markets.
State economic development officials noted that the move fits within a larger push to anchor emerging technologies in New York, including investments in AI research partnerships, workforce development, and academic collaboration. They emphasized that AI growth is expected to generate spillover benefits for other sectors, from media and advertising to finance and health care.
The arrival of more AI workers in SoHo could also have a visible local impact. Once known primarily for cast iron architecture and retail, the neighborhood has increasingly attracted technology and creative firms seeking flexible office space and proximity to downtown Manhattan’s startup ecosystem.
For city and state leaders, ElevenLabs’ expansion represents more than a single company’s growth. It is a signal that New York City remains competitive at a moment when technology firms are weighing where to locate their most advanced work. With 230 new jobs on the way and a growing presence in SoHo, the company’s investment underscores New York’s ambition to be a global center for artificial intelligence and innovation.
