Startup Snapshot
Startup Name: Seals AI
Industry: AI for Wholesale Operations
Business Model: B2B SaaS
Founders: Luis Mario Garcia, Javier Gonzalez, Heber Uriegas & Fernando Huerta
Operates in: United States
HQ Location: San Francisco, CA
Team Size: 4
Founded: 2024
Stage: Seed
Investors: Y Combinator
Website: https://www.hireseals.ai/
What does your startup do?
Seals AI (YC S24) provides a revolutionary solution for wholesalers by replacing manual, repetitive tasks with AI-powered employees. Their suite of AI agents performs essential roles like quoting, order taking, payment collection, and data entry into ERP systems. The platform is designed to serve over 700,000 wholesalers in the US who rely on human labor for these tasks—with 24/7 availability and human-like communication via phone, email, text, and WhatsApp, Seals AI streamlines operations for wholesalers, allowing them to focus on growing their businesses while AI handles the grunt work.
What's their backstory?
The founders, Luis Mario Garcia, Javier Gonzalez, Heber Uriegas, and Fernando Huerta, aren’t new to startups; they are second-time YC founders. Their previous startup, Orchata, scaled to over $6M in revenue and was focused on helping independent business owners in LATAM grow their businesses and compete with major corporate chains by empowering them with technology and key market insights. As they placed thousands of purchase orders with wholesalers, they realized the inefficiencies in B2B sales, particularly the manual nature of operations in this space. Having observed this pain point closely, the team saw an opportunity to disrupt the process by automating these tasks. Fernando’s experience in launching and scaling AT&T in Mexico to a $120M ARR added valuable insight into large-scale operations, further fueling their drive to transform the wholesaler industry.
What's their motivation?
At the core of Seals AI is a drive to simplify and modernize an outdated system. The founders saw an industry heavily dependent on manual processes—tasks that could easily be automated with the right technology. The wholesale industry, which facilitates the sale of almost every physical product, is stuck in time, with businesses relying on human reps to handle quoting, order taking, and payments through phone calls and emails. Seals AI’s founders want to eliminate the inefficiencies of this model, creating a seamless process for wholesalers that not only saves time but also cuts down payroll expenses, turning a $100 billion cost into an opportunity for software-driven efficiency.
How did you acquire your first customers?
The founders tapped into the extensive network of their previous YC-backed startup to acquire Seals AI’s first customers. With years of experience in the B2B space, they had deep connections within the wholesaler community and understood their pain points. By demonstrating how Seals AI could directly address inefficiencies, they convinced early adopters to try the platform. These first customers were critical in providing feedback and validating the product. Word of mouth and the founders’ reputation helped them gain traction in an industry that traditionally shies away from tech solutions.
What's Next for Seals?
Seals AI is set on disrupting the $100 billion payroll expense market by scaling its platform across over 700,000 wholesalers in the US. Next up, the team plans to enhance its AI’s capabilities further, expanding its functionality beyond the current tasks to cover more areas of the wholesale process. There’s also potential for geographic expansion beyond the US market, as the challenges Seals addresses are universal to wholesalers globally. Additionally, the team is exploring integration with more ERP systems, making it easier for wholesalers to adopt Seals AI and seamlessly plug it into their existing workflows. In short, Seals AI is poised to become the backbone of operational efficiency for wholesalers worldwide.
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