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

August 17, 2026 | Source: TechCrunch AI

Tags: Relay, Google, Chrome, Gemini, AI automation, workflow automation, Jacob Bank

Relay, an AI workflow automation startup aiming to be the new Zapier, is shutting down September 14 as founder Jacob Bank rejoins Google as VP of Product for Chrome, teasing ambitious AI-in-browser integrations.

Details

Relay, founded in 2021, is closing operations. Paying customers lose access September 14; free users already lost it August 15. The shutdown was announced in July, giving customers roughly two months' notice.\n\nFounder Jacob Bank previously spent six years at Google leading Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Chat, before launching Timeful (acquired by Google in 2015) and later Relay. He now returns as VP of Product for Google Chrome, also overseeing developer relations. His post on X hints at 'really ambitious plans to help you work with AI in Chrome to get things done.'\n\nThe Chrome team already ships Gemini as an optional in-browser assistant, and Google recently reported Gemini crossing 1 billion users. What exactly Bank has planned is unspecified, but calling Chrome 'a perfect place to collaborate with agents' suggests deeper AI-native workflow features beyond the current assistant sidebar.\n\nThe pattern here is notable: Google gains an experienced AI-productivity product leader without formally acquiring Relay's IP or technology.