Relay, an AI-powered workflow automation startup once seen as a competitor to Zapier, is closing. Founder and CEO Jacob Bank announced the shutdown in a company post on Monday. Paying customers will lose access on September 14, while free users were cut off on August 15.
The decision to end operations was revealed in July. Bank, who spent over six years at Google, will return there as VP of Product for Chrome. His new role involves leading product development and developer relations for the browser, as shown on his LinkedIn profile.
From Gmail to Chrome: A familiar path
Bank’s career has focused on productivity tools. Before Relay, he created Timeful, a scheduling app Google bought in 2015. At Google, he led teams for Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Chat before leaving to start Relay in 2021.
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The startup automated tasks like document drafting, copyediting, and project management. In a post on X, Bank said, “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 called Chrome “a perfect place to collaborate with agents,” though he didn’t explain further.
Google has added AI to many products, most visibly with Gemini in search and Chrome. The company recently said Gemini had over 1 billion users. Bank’s return may signal further AI integration into Chrome, though specifics are still unclear.
What happens to Relay’s users?
Businesses using Relay’s automation tools must now find other options. The company hasn’t offered transition plans, so customers will need to switch to platforms like Zapier, Make, or Microsoft Power Automate.
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Bank’s move to Chrome follows Google’s broader push into AI. Gemini already works as an in-browser assistant, but his mention of “collaborating with agents” leaves questions about future features.
Relay’s shutdown reflects a common challenge for startups in competitive markets. For Bank, the shift is a return to familiar work where his AI and productivity experience may reach a larger audience.
The shutdown also reflects broader trends in tech, where talent and ideas often move from startups to larger companies. Bank’s last public comment on the transition was brief: “We have some really ambitious plans to help you work with AI in Chrome to get things done. I’ll have more to share soon.” Relay’s users now await alternatives.
