US-based AI agent startup Instinct has raised $1bn in a Series C funding round, led by Sequoia Capital, Coatue, and Benchmark Capital, bringing the startup’s valuation to $10bn.
The company intends to use the capital to expand the reach of its AI agent, which remains in early access.
Instinct founder Noah Shinn said: “We’re building Instinct to be the best personal agent that can handle the deeply personal nuances of everyday life.
“This funding helps us bring Instinct to more people and continue building the future of personal AI. It’s an exciting, creative time, and we’re just getting started.”
Instinct’s software is promoted as a personal assistant capable of managing a range of everyday tasks, including planning travel, arranging grocery deliveries, and cancelling unused subscriptions, through text or phone interactions.
The company claims its agent can complete these activities from start to finish using its own phone and computer.
Recent updates to the product include the introduction of Instinct Concierge. This service is described as designed for tasks requiring personal attention, such as making phone calls, booking high-end services, and dealing with service providers that do not offer online reservations.
Another recent feature, the Trusted Person Network, enables user assistants to coordinate with other Instinct agents for tasks such as sharing files and planning events.
Instinct has also added location sharing via iMessage, allowing the software to recognise a user’s arrival at a destination and provide tailored suggestions or responses.
The company says it has introduced privacy features that include isolated sandboxes, short-lived local credentials, and identity-signed tool execution.
A new active detective system is reported to reduce errors in the agent’s responses by catching subtle inaccuracies before they are generated or executed.
Founded by Noah Shinn, Instinct is based in San Francisco and focuses on developing technology to assist with the management of everyday personal tasks through AI.
