The Google-backed AI investors nobody took seriously in 2017 just raised $220 million

(Credit: Gradient)

In 2017, Darian Shirazi and Zach Bratun-Glennon knew they weren’t exactly working on the coolest new thing.  

“I remember going to happy hours with other startup investors and pre-seed founders,” said Shirazi. “I’d say I was at Gradient, and people would say ‘oh, the AI thing. I haven’t done that. Are there AI startups? I certainly don’t see them and AI doesn’t seem that interesting.’”