Firsthand

Firsthand

AI agent platform for branded campaigns

Overview

Firsthand builds an AI agent platform for brands and publishers to protect, control, and deploy their data and content in direct conversational campaigns. It lets teams create and deploy intelligent AI agents that engage consumers with personalized conversations across messaging channels. This approach enables brands and publishers to run tailored, direct-to-consumer interactions while keeping tight control over their data and assets. Compared with typical ad-tech solutions, Firsthand emphasizes data/content governance and direct audience engagement through customized AI agents. The company’s goal is to empower brands and publishers to scale personalized communications with customers while preserving control of their content and data across all messaging channels.

About Firsthand

Simplify's Rating
Why Firsthand is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Consumer Software

Enterprise Software

AI & Machine Learning

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

Series A

Total Funding

$26M

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

2023

Get referred to Firsthand

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Firsthand raised $26 million in March 2025, signaling investor conviction and runway.
  • Andrew Rutledge joined as CRO in March 2025, strengthening publisher sales execution.
  • Its August 2026 website still markets active campaigns, partner distribution, and lead-generation use cases.

What critics are saying

  • Google and Perplexity commoditize conversational discovery, crushing Firsthand’s distribution by 2027.
  • Publisher and brand budgets stay experimental; Firsthand’s pilots become demos, not renewals.
  • A failed go-to-market would kill the company; agents without scale become a feature, not a platform.

What makes Firsthand unique

  • Firsthand’s August 2026 platform sells control of brand knowledge, data, and IP.
  • Former DoubleClick, AppNexus, and FreeWheel operators give Firsthand rare adtech credibility.
  • Its Brand Agents run onsite and across partner publishers, not just owned channels.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Funding

Total Funding

$26M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

1 Rounds

Series A funding typically happens when a startup has a product and some customers, and now needs funding to scale. This money is usually used to grow the team, expand marketing, and improve the product. Venture capital firms are frequently the main investors here.
Series A Funding Comparison
Above Average

Industry standards

$15M
$8.2M
Discord
$15M
Canva
$26M
Firsthand
$30M
Kalshi

Benefits

Remote Work Options

Company Equity

Company News

MarTech360
Mar 26th, 2025
Firsthand Appoints Andrew Rutledge as Chief Revenue Officer

Firsthand appoints Andrew Rutledge as chief revenue officer.

Tech in Asia
Mar 10th, 2025
Australian AI startup Flowing Bee raises $1.6m for US expansion

05-Mar-2025 | AI brand agent platform Firsthand nets $26m series A Firsthand raises $26M in Series A funding Led by Radical Ventures for AI agent platform

FinSMEs
Mar 7th, 2025
Firsthand Raises $26M in Series A Funding

Firsthand raises $26M in Series A funding.

Firsthand
Mar 5th, 2025
Firsthand Secures $26M in Series A Funding to Scale Industry’s First AI-Powered Brand Agent Platform for Marketers and Publishers | Firsthand

Firsthand unlocks AI as a new communication medium, enabling marketers and publishers to engage consumers directly by leveraging their expertise in real time, wherever consumers are

EIN News
Mar 4th, 2025
Firsthand Secures $26M for AI Platform

Firsthand has secured $26M in Series A funding to expand its AI-powered Brand Agent platform, which transforms consumer engagement by enabling real-time, personalized interactions. Led by Radical Ventures, the funding will support product expansion and team growth. Firsthand's platform allows brands to directly engage consumers, offering tailored experiences and insights, while maintaining control over data through its Lakebed™ system.

Recently Posted Jobs

Sign up to get curated job recommendations

Firsthand is Hiring for 2 Jobs on Simplify!

Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today

Don't see your dream role? Check out thousands of other roles on Simplify. Browse all jobs →