Beyond workflows: Building the industry’s first autonomous system for GRC

The landscape of internal audit is at a critical juncture. Based on recent data from The IIA, audit departments are under pressure. They are expected to safeguard their organizations against an increasingly complex web of risks while facing flat or even shrinking budgets. At Optro, our mission has always been to provide the tools that turn these hurdles into competitive advantages. That’s why we helped move internal audit from spreadsheets to the cloud, and are leading the movement to leverage agentic AI to transform the function from tactical and manual to strategic and automated.

Today, I am incredibly proud to share that we are taking a massive leap forward in that mission. Optro has officially acquired Midship, a pioneer in AI-native automation for SOX compliance.

Beyond simple automation

When we rebranded as Optro, we also unveiled our vision for our agentic system of action. The addition of Midship delivers on that vision. We aren't just talking about automating basic software workflows; we are talking about intelligent agents that transform the way internal auditors work.

By weaving Midship’s technology into our system of action, we are enabling our users to:

• Reclaim hundreds of hours: By automating the vast majority of tedious SOX and control testing, teams can move away from manual "check-the-box" exercises.
• Analyze unstructured evidence: Our platform can now ingest raw data—like bank statements and access logs—interpreting them with the nuance of a human professional.
• Produce audit-ready results: The system generates high-quality workpapers in familiar formats, ensuring that when external auditors step in, everything is seamless and transparent.

A shared vision for innovation

I’ve been deeply impressed by the commitment of the Midship team—led by Kieran Taylor, Aahel Iyer, and Max Maio—to serving practitioners. Like us, they understand the unique needs of internal auditors and are focused on building innovative solutions that address them.

They join us just following our recent integration of FairNow for AI governance, further solidifying Optro’s place as a global leader in AI-driven GRC innovation. We aren’t just keeping pace with the industry; we are setting the tempo.

To our customers: our goal is to empower you to stop worrying about tactical testing questions and focus on the strategic implications and opportunities of risk.

Please join me in welcoming the Midship team to the Optro family.

Buckle up! We’re just getting started.

Eliminate manual workflows with autonomous testingLearn more

About the authors

Raul Villar Jr. is the CEO of Optro. He joins Optro following a highly successful tenure as CEO of Paycor, a prominent human capital management software company.