Relay Shuts Down as Founder Jacob Bank Joins Google Chrome Team

AI workflow automation startup Relay is shutting down, with founder and CEO Jacob Bank and several members of its team moving to Google to work on Chrome as the browser expands its use of artificial intelligence.

Relay said paying customers will retain access to the service until Sept. 14, while free users lost access on Aug. 15. The company had initially announced plans to close the product in July.

Relay founder returns to Google

Bank is returning to Google as vice president of product for Chrome, where he will lead product and developer relations teams. He previously spent more than six years at Google before leaving to launch Relay.

In a post on X, Bank said his career has focused on building tools that use AI to help people become more productive without replacing their creativity or judgment.

“We have some really ambitious plans to help you work with AI in Chrome to get things done, andI’lll have more to share soon,” Bank said.

Bank also described Chrome as a natural place for people to collaborate with AI agents, suggesting his new role will focus in part on improving the browser’s ability to help users complete tasks with AI.

Bank first joined Google in 2015 after the company acquired Timeful, a scheduling startup he co-founded. During his previous tenure, he worked across several productivity products, including Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Chat.

Relay aimed to automate repetitive work

Launched in 2021, Relay positioned itself as an AI-powered workflow automation platform and an alternative to services such as Zapier. Businesses could use the software to automate repetitive work, including document drafting, editing, and project management.

The shutdown comes as Google continues to add AI capabilities across its products. Gemini has already been integrated into Chrome as an optional browser assistant, while Google has increasingly incorporated its AI models across Search and other consumer services.

Bank’s move gives Google an executive with experience building both productivity software and AI automation tools as Chrome evolves from a traditional browser toward a platform where AI agents could play a larger role in completing online tasks.

For Relay customers, however, that transition means finding an alternative workflow platform before paid access ends Sept. 14.