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AI automation startup Relay shuts down, staff joins Google’s Chrome team

"We have some really ambitious plans to help you work with AI in Chrome to get things done, and I’ll have more to share soon," Jacob Bank, Relay founder and CEO, said.

Source: TechCrunch · August 18, 2026 at 7:31 AM · AI-assisted report

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KUALA LUMPUR, 18 AUGUST 2026 —

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AI Automation Startup Relay Shuts Down, Staff Joins Google’s Chrome Team

Market Impact

KUALA LUMPUR — AI-powered workflow automation startup Relay is shutting down, with its founder and CEO Jacob Bank joining Google’s Chrome team as Vice President of Product, according to an announcement on Monday.

Relay, launched in 2021 with the aim of becoming a competitor to Zapier, will cease operations on September 14 for paying customers, while free users lost access on August 15. The closure was first announced in July. Bank, who previously spent over six years at Google before founding Relay, will lead product and developer relations for Chrome, as per his LinkedIn profile.

In a post on X, Bank stated, “I’ve spent my whole career doing one thing: building tools that help people get more done with AI, without sacrificing their personal creativity or insights.” He added, “Joining the Chrome team is an ideal opportunity to bring those experiences to many, many more people.” Bank also hinted at future AI integrations in Chrome, saying, “We have some really ambitious plans to help you work with AI in Chrome to get things done, and I’ll have more to share soon.”

Bank originally joined Google in 2015 after his previous startup, Timeful—a scheduling app—was acquired by the tech giant. At Google, he held roles including product lead for Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Chat before leaving to launch Relay. Similar to Timeful, Relay offered workflow automation to streamline tasks such as document drafting, copyediting, and project management.

Details not yet available on how AI will be further integrated into Chrome, though Bank described the browser as “a perfect place to collaborate with agents.” Google has been aggressively integrating AI into its ecosystem, including the rollout of Gemini, which has surpassed 1 billion users. Gemini is already embedded in Chrome as an optional in-browser assistant, reflecting Google’s broader AI-driven transformation of its user experience.

The shutdown of Relay follows a broader trend of consolidation in the AI automation sector, where startups face challenges in scaling amid competition from tech giants. For Malaysia’s tech ecosystem, the move underscores the growing influence of AI in productivity tools, though direct market impact remains limited given Relay’s niche focus.

Industry observers note that Google’s acquisition of talent from startups like Relay could accelerate AI adoption in browsers, a segment where Malaysian enterprises may increasingly rely on global platforms for automation solutions.

The outlook for AI-driven productivity tools in Malaysia remains tied to global advancements, particularly from major players like Google. While Relay’s closure marks the end of an independent venture, its legacy may contribute to deeper AI integration in widely used platforms such as Chrome, potentially benefiting Malaysian businesses seeking efficiency gains through automation.

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Reporting based on TechCrunch. Figures and claims are subject to revision as the story develops. DomainFork publishes editorial context, not investment advice — see our editorial standards.