Firsthand Information

Firsthand has built the first AI-powered Brand Agent platform, transforming the way marketers and publishers engage consumers through their own AI agents, anywhere online. Operating across both owned properties and paid media, Brand Agents make a company’s expertise accessible in real time, dynamically adapting to consumers’ interests and guiding them toward the information they need to take action. Core to the Firsthand Brand Agent Platform™ is Lakebed™, Firsthand’s AI-first data and knowledge rights management system that ensures companies retain full ownership and control of their expertise. Firsthand is led by Jon Heller, Michael Rubenstein, and Wei Wei, whose previous ventures helped build the foundations of modern digital advertising. Backed by Radical Ventures, FirstMark Capital, Aperiam Ventures, and Crossbeam Venture Partners, Firsthand is now pioneering the next evolution of AI-driven consumer engagement. Firsthand is headquartered in NYC, with team members working together in-office three days a week.