Former OpenAI, Cognition staffers launch Hone to build AI agents that run business operations

Founding Team

A group of former OpenAI and Cognition employees has launched a startup called Hone to build AI agents that can run business operations, not just answer questions. The company has raised $60 million in seed funding and has early customers, including Cognition and Modal. Investors are paying up for the startup due to its potential to close the gap between AI theory and practice in companies.

What Hone is Building

Hone's AI engines are designed to own a business outcome over weeks or months, not just knock out one-off requests. The company points to examples like procurement savings and lead conversions as use cases for its technology.

Market Potential

For the AI startup market, Hone's round is another data point that investors will fund long-horizon agents at early stages, provided the team is credible and there are paying customers to point to. A $285 million post-money valuation at seed signals that backers expect a large market, not a niche tool.

Security and Expansion

Investors in the round stressed the importance of strong safeguards in AI products, against a backdrop of growing concern over AI-related breaches. The startup already has early customers, and its security approach is expected to hold up as agents take on more responsibility. With $60 million in fresh capital and backing from Benchmark and Index Ventures, Hone has the runway to try to expand beyond early adopters like Cognition and Modal into more traditional enterprises.