Firsthand
Firsthand is a New York-based AI company that has developed the first AI-powered Brand Agent Platform. This platform allows brands and publishers to create and manage their own AI agents, known as Brand Agents, to engage consumers in real-time conversations across various online channels. Founded in 2023 by industry veterans Jonathan Heller, Michael Rubenstein, and Wei Wei, Firsthand officially launched on February 21, 2024, after raising $32.6 million in funding. The company offers a SaaS platform with two main components: the Brand Agent Platform, which enables personalized consumer interactions, and Lakebed™, a data rights management platform that ensures brands maintain control over their data and content. Firsthand's mission is to empower brands and publishers to engage directly with their audiences while retaining ownership of their data in the evolving AI landscape.