In 2022, two PhD students at MIT, Antoni Rosinol and Bernardo Aceituno, were on the cusp of completing their degrees as large language models (LLMs) began to gain mainstream attention. The release of ChatGPT at the end of the year was just around the corner, but these visionaries already recognized a pressing problem: companies struggling to integrate data with models without sufficient expertise and knowledge. They sought to change this narrative.
From MIT to Y Combinator
After graduating from MIT, Rosinol and Aceituno moved to San Francisco and joined the Winter 2023 cohort at Y Combinator (YC), where they launched Stack and refined their idea. Today, the company has developed a low-code workflow automation tool designed to empower companies in building AI-driven workflows, including chatbots and AI assistants.
The Problem: Connecting Data Sources and LLMs
"Our platform allows people to build workflows that require connecting different tools to work together," Aceituno explained in an interview with TechCrunch. "We focus on connecting data sources and LLMs, since doing so enables the creation of powerful workflow automations." In fact, Stack’s toolset includes a variety of components, such as:
- Data Sources: Integrate data from various sources like Google Drive
- LLMs: Leverage the power of language models for AI-driven tasks
- Trigger Components: Automate workflows based on specific triggers or events
- Action Components: Execute actions or tasks within the workflow
The company has already secured $3 million in funding from prominent investors, including Gradient Ventures, Beat Ventures, and True Capital. With a team of six employees, Stack is now hiring engineers, sales professionals, and marketing experts to further accelerate its growth.
Early Successes and Challenges
Since launching their working product just six months ago, the company has reported over 200 customers using the platform. While these early adopters come from diverse industries, some of the earliest customers are in the healthcare sector.
When asked about the challenges associated with applications involving doctors and patients, Aceituno acknowledged the importance of relying on human experts to ensure the quality of answers. He emphasized that including source citations in every answer provides an additional layer of protection for healthcare professionals.
Lessons Learned from Y Combinator
Rosinol credits their experience at YC with helping them understand the business side of things and refine their startup idea through customer feedback. Initially, they developed an API focused on developers but soon realized that effectively querying and connecting data sources to language models was a more significant challenge.
The Future of Stack AI
As the company continues to grow, its founders remain committed to pushing the boundaries of workflow automation with low-code tools. With a strong focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, Stack AI is poised to revolutionize the way companies integrate AI into their workflows.
Investors: A Diverse Group Backing Innovation
Stack’s investors include:
- Gradient Ventures: An AI-focused venture arm of Google
- Beat Ventures: A venture capital firm that invests in innovative startups
- True Capital: A global investment firm with a focus on technology and healthcare
- Lambda Labs: A research lab dedicated to advancing the field of artificial intelligence
- Y Combinator: A renowned startup accelerator that has helped numerous companies grow and succeed
These investors share Stack’s vision for transforming the way companies work with AI, making it an exciting time for innovation in this space.
Conclusion
Stack AI is redefining the landscape of workflow automation by providing a low-code solution that connects data sources and LLMs. With its strong team, innovative platform, and diverse group of investors backing its growth, Stack AI is poised to make a significant impact on the business world. As this company continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible with AI-driven workflows, one thing is certain: the future of work is brighter than ever.