Relay, an AI automation startup founded by Jacob Bank, has shut down operations. Bank and the company's staff have joined Google's Chrome division, where they will focus on integrating AI capabilities into the browser.
Bank confirmed the transition in a statement, noting that the team will pursue "ambitious plans to help you work with AI in Chrome to get things done." The move represents Google's latest effort to embed AI automation deeper into its core products, particularly Chrome, which serves over 3 billion users worldwide.
The shutdown comes as AI automation tools face intense competition and scrutiny over unit economics. Relay had positioned itself in a crowded market alongside players like Zapier, Make, and enterprise RPA platforms. Rather than compete independently, the startup opted for an acquihire, allowing its technical talent to contribute to Google's browser roadmap.
Chrome has become a strategic battleground for AI features. Google has already integrated AI writing and productivity tools into the browser, and the addition of Relay's team signals a deeper commitment to automation workflows. Bank's vision of helping users "get things done" with AI aligns with Google's broader push to make Chrome the operating system for AI-driven work.
The timing reflects broader consolidation in the AI automation space. Smaller startups with novel technology but uncertain paths to profitability increasingly opt for acquisition rather than raise additional capital. Relay's shutdown avoids the alternative: a difficult Series A or flat fundraising round in a market where investors now scrutinize unit economics and path to profitability.
For Google, the acquihire bolsters Chrome's product capabilities without the overhead of a standalone business unit. The search giant can leverage Relay's automation expertise to build features that keep users within the Chrome ecosystem longer and reduce friction in everyday workflows.
Bank's hint that more details will arrive soon suggests Google is preparing a Chrome announcement tied to AI automation. The company's history of quietly acquiring