• by Ray Schultz , February 25, 2024

A firm that says it can help publishers build AI agents and distribute them to readers, wherever they are, has emerged from stealth mode. 

Firsthand has received a seed round from Radical Ventures, an AI-focused backer.

Firsthand's AI platform allows publishers to engage in direct conversations with consumers, using generative AI and their own content and data. 

This facilitates greater audience engagement and premium monetization opportunities, the firm claims. Publishers can also retain control of their content and data assets.

The company argues that there was no feasible way for brands and publishers to engage in one-to-one exchanges with consumers in real time – a necessity, given the challenges they now face. 

“The current digital ecosystem leaves publishers vulnerable: their data is exploited, their access controlled, and their voice diluted,” says David Katz, partner at Radical Ventures, who will serve on the Firsthand board. 

Firsthand was founded last year by digital ad veterans Jonathan Heller, Michael Rubenstein, and Wei Wei. 

Led by Radical Ventures, the seed round included participation from Brian O’Kelley (Scope3, AppNexus) and David Rosenblatt (1stDibs.com, DoubleClick).