Optro, formerly known as AuditBoard, has announced the acquisition of Midship, a premier AI-native SOX automation solution. This strategic move integrates highly governed, enterprise-grade AI agents into Optro’s GRC platform, establishing the first agentic system of action for the industry. The acquisition addresses the increasing budgetary and resource pressures on internal audit teams by automating high-volume, repetitive processes. By embedding Midship’s autonomous testing capabilities, Optro enables internal auditors to transition from manual control checks to high-value strategic risk analysis.
Optro (formerly AuditBoard) has acquired Midship to provide AI-native SOX automation.
The acquisition creates the first agentic system of action for Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC).
Midship’s technology automates manual controls testing, including unstructured data ingestion and autonomous test execution.
The integration supports internal audit teams facing budget constraints, with only 23% seeing increases in 2026.
Midship founders Kieran Taylor, Aahel Iyer, and Max Maio will join the Optro product team.
Key features include autonomous bank reconciliations and the generation of audit-ready Excel workpapers.
The acquisition marks a significant evolution for internal audit functions, moving beyond cloud-based spreadsheets to fully automated, agentic workflows. Midship’s technology is designed to process raw, unstandardized evidence in the same manner as a human auditor, executing attribute tests such as access reviews directly across uploaded documentation. This automation allows global enterprises to maintain the stability of a trusted GRC partner while adopting cutting-edge AI innovation that reduces the manual "heavy lifting" associated with SOX compliance.
"Global enterprises shouldn't have to choose between cutting-edge innovation and the stability of a trusted partner," said Raul Villar Jr., CEO of Optro. "We moved internal audit from spreadsheets to the cloud, and now we are leveraging agentic AI to transform the function from tactical and manual to strategic and automated."
Midship will be fully integrated into Optro’s Controls Management solution, complementing recently announced features such as AI Narratives, Fieldwork Automations, and Continuous Control Monitoring. This unified platform provides a foundation for alliance partners' agents to communicate seamlessly with Optro’s internal agents. The acquisition follows Optro's recent rebranding and the purchase of FairNow, an AI Governance solution, further solidifying its position as a global leader in GRC innovation.
Industry leaders have noted that the combination of Midship’s agentic capabilities with Optro’s system of action realizes the full potential of AI for internal audit. By automating repetitive tasks, teams can focus on broader business objectives and strategic risk management. Optro’s momentum is further evidenced by its recognition as one of Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2026 and its leadership position in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for GRC Tools.
About Optro
Optro (formerly AuditBoard) helps enterprises transform risk into opportunity, redefining GRC through an agentic system of action. More than 50% of the Fortune 500 trust Optro to elevate audit, risk, and compliance in addressing a new era of risk. Optro is top-rated by customers on G2 and was named a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Tools, Assurance Leaders.
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