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Productivity startup Notion has snagged a $10 billion valuation with its AI products, like its writing assistant and chatbot that can create docs based on a text description. But behind the scenes sits year-old startup called Braintrust helping power the AI magic.
Founded by Under 30 Enterprise Tech alum Ankur Goyal, Braintrust is making a business out of being other software’s AI consultant. Unicorn companies like Notion and $5 billion Zapier turn to Braintrust to evaluate the accuracy of their AI, catch when their tech is hallucinating, and offer solutions when things go south. They also offer building blocks of code to help smaller companies build new AI products.
“People are good at predicting what people will need an AI tool for. The hard part is that if you just type something up and ship it, it doesn’t work,” Goyal told Forbes. “It’s like baking without measuring the ingredients: You end up with mush.”
Braintrust says its clients pay tens of thousands—and sometimes more than $100,000—for its evaluation services. Its client roster has investors excited: Forbes reported Braintrust closed a $36 million Series A round led by Andreessen Horowitz’s a16z this week, valuing the company at $150 million according to sources close to the deal. Cloud companies Databricks and Datadog also participated in the round.
Goyal’s first startup was Impira, which offered an AI search engine to help companies autonomously sort through their files and data (Impira also landed Goyal on the Under 30 list in 2020). After building inside the AI scene and speaking with some 25 potential customers, he realized there was a greater business proposition to support other firms as they seek to keep up with the AI revolution.
So why are some of the world’s largest businesses so quick to trust Braintrust? Find out in the full story here.
More next week,
Alex & Zoya
Inside The Superyachts Of America’s Richest People
Of all the superyachts that exist in the world, one in four belong to American billionaires. That means that, by Forbes estimates, 40 members of the Forbes 400 list (launched this month) own at least 60 yachts. The financial stake? Those 60 yachts are worth an estimated $6 billion. Take a look at just some of the examples—like a custom built sailing yacht owned by Jeff Bezos, and Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones’ 357 foot “Bravo Eugenia.” See them here.
Lister Lowdown
-3Laws, cofounded by 2024 science lister Andrew Singletary, announced last week a $4.1 million seed funding round led by TenOneTen with participation from Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund. The robotics company provides software that helps to correct robot motion commands in real-time to prevent collisions and improve geofencing and stability.
-Under 30 social media lister Remi Bader launched a new collection in collaboration with Sam’s Club this week, titled Edited by Remi Bader. The drop includes garments like sweater skirts, hoodies, mesh dresses and bodysuits, all available online (starting October 8) and in stores nation-wide (starting October 15).
-Miri Buckland launched Landing, a consumer technology company that landed her a spot on the 2022 Under 30 list, in 2019. The Gen Z-focused design and social platform where users could curate and share their own collages, initially started as an interior design platform. But last week, Buckland announced that it’s transitioned to Zeen, a shoppable blog platform.
Creator Corner with Josh Glodoveza
The creator economy is thriving, and could reportedly be worth half-a-trillion dollars by 2027. Since the boom of content creation, the Forbes Under 30 list has recognized the individuals who have either built their businesses through social media or turned social media into their business. Hear from these entrepreneurs what it takes to make it on the internet.
Up this week: 2024 Under 30 Games lister Josh Glodoveza, who’s made a career brokering deals for Twitch streamers, YouTubers and more. He has negotiated brand partnerships with the likes of Puma and Mercedes Benz, and is the founder of Panel, a talent management firm and software company.
The following has been edited for length and clarity.
You were named to the Games list in 2024 for your work representing gamers. What was your first role in the gaming industry? My first ever job was when I was 13. It was summer and I had absolutely nothing to do. I volunteered for dozens of my favorite streamers and pro esports players to moderate their Twitch chats, and it eventually led me to get hired at the esports team Sentinels because of that very work.
You are also the cofounder of Panel. How do you describe Panel to those hearing about it for the first time? Our platform helps brands with their performance marketing and making it easier to work with streamers, creators and talent.
What inspired you to become a founder, and why was the creator space where you wanted to build? I always wanted to build something of mine. Something I can say “I started and founded that.” Being young and surrounded by founders in Los Angeles, it created a surge in me to make something that had impact. I always knew creators would have the effect they have now.
Candidly, growing up watching iCarly was a big part of it. It was an inspiration to me in a way. To see how much her “web show” gave her so much influence and popularity—I always loved the idea of helping people do what they love, and we could do that with the company.
What was the most exciting project you’ve worked on as a founder? A memorable one was working with Chipotle and creating an announcement video for one of their new partners. We were up early and given a lot of free rein to shoot, direct and create content at one of their stores, and it felt like a takeover.
What’s been the biggest difference in this space over the last five years? The most significant difference is the way and how fast gaming creators are becoming mainstream. I think Kai Cenat was a massive contributor, highlighting streamers as gamers and proper entertainers who should be taken seriously.
What is your best piece of advice for content creators—gaming or otherwise—to stand out online today? You can’t let other people define your content. Take inspiration, but create originality. Build your community with intention. Find a way to remind yourself why you do what you do. You already stand out by showing up and being consistent. Find your people.
Which is your favorite social media platform and why? Instagram! It gives me a platform to showcase and curate my life the way I want it to be shown and remembered—my digital scrapbook, per se.
What is the impact you hope to make in this space? How do you plan to do it? I want to be able to inspire young people to become bigger dreamers regardless of whatever situation they are in. I was a kid living halfway across the world, wanting to work in entertainment in America. At 21 years old, I was already able to do that. If I could do it, many more people can. Doing more mentorship work the same way many people mentored me.