Browser Use secures $17M to build text-based web automation for AI
California-based Browser Use has raised $17 million in seed funding to enhance AI-driven interaction with websites through its text-based interface technology.
Elena Whitmore 
Major backers include Felicis Ventures and Y Combinator
Browser Use, a United States-based artificial intelligence startup, has closed a $17 million seed round to further its platform, which aims to allow large language models to navigate and interact with websites more efficiently. The investment round was led by Felicis Ventures, with support from A Capital, Nexus Ventures, Y Combinator, Paul Graham, Liquid2, SV Angel, and Pioneer Fund, among others. The company, co-founded by Magnus Muller and Gregor Zunich in 2024 through the ETH Student Project House accelerator, is working to move beyond current automation approaches that rely heavily on computer vision.
Limitations of current tools addressed with new format
Many existing automation tools depend on analyzing screenshots or visual cues to guide bots through websites. Browser Use argues that this method is "slow, expensive, and often error-prone." Instead, the startup has developed a system that converts web interfaces into structured text, making them accessible to AI agents without relying on pixel-level interpretation. This approach enables models to interact more accurately with elements such as buttons, drop-downs, and form fields. According to the team, it reduces latency and the likelihood of misreading interface components, a common issue with image-based systems.
Hiring engineers to shape the next phase
Following the funding announcement, the company shared its plans to expand its team. It is currently seeking engineers interested in developing infrastructure for what it believes will be a future shaped by AI-driven automation. In the startup’s view, "automated AI agents will perform more online tasks than humans" in the near future. As a result, the company sees its work as laying the groundwork for a broader transition in how digital workflows are handled.
From side project to platform vision
Initially launched as a small experimental effort, Browser Use is now positioning itself as a foundational layer for AI interaction with the web. Rather than working around existing limitations, the company is attempting to redefine how AI systems perceive and use the web. This shift in perspective may prove to be a key step in improving the efficiency of AI agents handling online forms, transactions, and complex web applications. The team’s ongoing focus is to bridge the gap between static website content and dynamic AI behavior with greater precision and less overhead.
