18 August 2026

Relay AI automation startup shuts down, CEO joins Google Chrome

• Relay, a workflow automation tool launched in 2021 to compete with Zapier, is closing permanently on September 14 for paying customers.
• Founder Jacob Bank is rejoining Google as VP of Product for Chrome, leading product and developer relations for the browser.
• Bank previously sold a scheduling app called Timeful to Google in 2015 and worked on Gmail, Calendar, and Chat before starting Relay.

How it was covered

The NeuronPete Huang & Grant Harvey

Relay, an AI workflow automation startup, shut down with its CEO now heading to lead AI product for Google Chrome. The newsletter treats this as a company consolidation within the AI industry.

Reported by TechCrunch