Convergence: A Shopify Alumni Founded AI Agent Startup

Convergence, a new startup founded by Marvin Purtorab and Andy Toulis, former employees of Shopify, is making waves in the world of AI agents. Their innovative approach to AI, dubbed "Proxy," aims to create a general-purpose AI agent that can learn and adapt across a variety of tasks, much like a human would. The company has already secured a $12 million pre-seed round led by Balderton Capital, with participation from Salesforce Ventures and Shopify Ventures.

• Purtorab and Toulis previously worked together at Shopify, focusing on recommender systems and AI assistants.
• They later joined Cohere, an enterprise AI platform, before launching Convergence.
• The company has recruited talent from Google DeepMind, Meta, OpenAI, and PolyAI, building its product in a short timeframe.

Convergence's Proxy Agent: A General-Purpose AI Tool

The key innovation behind Convergence is its "Proxy" agent, which is designed to work across various tasks and acquire skills over time. Convergence is using a technique called "Large Meta Learning Models" (LMLM) to train these agents, enabling them to learn autonomously.

• Proxy agents are designed to handle a range of tasks, unlike more specialized agents focused on specific workflows.
• These agents are trained to learn on their own, acquiring new skills over time.
• Convergence believes this general-purpose approach is more scalable and efficient than creating a multitude of specialized AI agents.

The Role of Shopify Ventures and Balderton Capital in Convergence's Development

The $12 million pre-seed funding from Balderton Capital, Salesforce Ventures, and Shopify Ventures is crucial to Convergence's growth. The investment will be used to develop novel AI models that power the Proxy agents.

• Balderton Capital, known for its investments in technology startups, recognizes the potential of Convergence's approach.
• Shopify Ventures and Salesforce Ventures are both strategic investors, bringing valuable expertise to Convergence.
• The funding will fuel Convergence's research and development, allowing the company to scale its technology and product development.

Convergence's Approach to AI Agents: A Comparison to Salesforce

Convergence's approach to AI agents sets it apart from companies like Salesforce, which are focusing on more specialized agents. Convergence believes that the future of AI agents lies in general-purpose tools capable of handling a broad range of tasks.

• Salesforce is investing in AI agents, but their focus is on creating agents for specific tasks, like sales or HR.
• Convergence believes that general-purpose agents are more efficient and scalable, particularly in the long run.
• The company sees a future where users have a single AI agent capable of handling various tasks, rather than a collection of specialized tools.

Convergence's Target Markets: Consumers and Enterprises

Convergence is targeting both consumer and enterprise markets, using consumer feedback to inform its enterprise AI development.

• Consumers are using Convergence's AI agent for tasks such as online shopping and finding recipes.
• Enterprises are using the agent for sales operations, talent operations, and other tasks.
• Convergence sees consumer use as a valuable testing ground for its technology, enabling it to gather user feedback and refine its approach.

The Future of AI Agents: A Look Ahead

Convergence's ambitious vision for AI agents aims to revolutionize the way people work and interact with technology. With its general-purpose approach and focus on user-friendly design, Convergence is poised to become a major player in the future of AI.

• Convergence believes that AI agents will play an increasingly important role in our lives, automating tasks and enhancing productivity.
• The company is committed to developing AI agents that are both powerful and user-friendly, making AI accessible to a wider audience.
• Convergence's innovative approach to AI, combined with its strong funding and experienced team, suggests that the company is well-positioned for success.