Technology and Science17 August, 20262 min read
AI Automation Startup Relay Shuts Down as CEO Jacob Bank Rejoins Google Chrome
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Relay shuts down, with free users cut off August 15 and paying customers September 14. Founder and CEO Jacob Bank joins Google Chrome as VP of Product.
7 outlets told this the same way.
Relay shuts down
Relay, an AI-powered workflow automation startup launched in 2021 with ambitions to rival Zapier, is shutting down, and its founder and CEO Jacob Bank is rejoining Google as VP of Product for Google Chrome. Bank said the company announced the shutdown in July, with free users losing access on August 15 and paying customers’ access ending on September 14.
“Free customers would have already lost access as of August 15.”
TechCrunch reported that Bank shared the company announcement Monday revealing the app will be shutting down access for paying customers on September 14, while free customers would have already lost access as of August 15. In his post on X, Bank described Chrome as “a perfect place to collaborate with agents,” and he said “We have some really ambitious plans to help you work with AI in Chrome to get things done.”
Bank returns to Chrome
TechCrunch said Bank previously spent a little over six years at Google and will now lead the product and developer relations teams for Chrome, according to his LinkedIn. 9to5Google reported that Google hired Jacob Bank as VP of Product for Chrome, noting he previously worked at Google for six years and that in 2015 Google acquired his Timeful smart calendar assistant.
In a social media post, Bank teased “some really ambitious plans to help you work with AI in Chrome to get things done,” and 9to5Google added that he called the browser people’s “primary workspace for productivity.” 9to5Google also said Google offers Gemini in Chrome, with that instance of the assistant offering browser-specific capabilities, and it referenced auto browse integration with Spark.
Gemini and consolidation
TechCrunch linked Relay’s shutdown to Google’s broader AI integration, saying Gemini has been integrated into Chrome where it serves as an optional in-browser assistant. Bitcoin World reported that Google recently reported that Gemini has surpassed 1 billion users, and it described Bank’s return as a continuation of his focus on productivity tools.
“Gemini has also been integrated into Chrome, where it serves as an optional in-browser assistant.”
The Tech Buzz said Relay is shutting down operations next month after its CEO and key staff accepted positions on Google's Chrome team, framing it as an acqui-hire into Chrome. In Bank’s X post, TechCrunch quoted him saying, “I’ve spent my whole career doing one thing: building tools that help people get more done with AI,” while 9to5Google said he described Chrome as “the perfect place to collaborate with agents.”