This AI Bot Just Closed $8M Seed Round Entirely On Its Own

My Interview with Boardy the Bot
This image shows a person wearing a dark business suit and tie, but instead of a regular face, they have a cardboard box over their head. The box has two round, blue circles for eyes and a simple curved line for a mouth, creating a friendly, smiley face. The background is a light, neutral color, which makes the box “head” stand out. The overall effect is playful and a little surreal—a visual nod to “Boardy” being more than just a typical human figure, but an AI personality.

I first heard about Boardy when I stumbled upon an article announcing that this AI “super-connector” had just raised an $8 million seed round…only a few months after a $3 million pre-seed. What made the story especially intriguing was that the venture firm leading the new round, Creandum, did so after speaking with the AI bot alone, without ever talking to a single human on the team until the paperwork was nearly done. The voice-driven ‘super-connector’, Boardy, impressed investors…no human pitch required.

As a proud supporter of Canadian-made innovation, I reached out to Boardy’s Canadian founders…among them Clearco co-founder Andrew D’Souza, who now leads Boardy as its CEO. I was eager to experience the AI firsthand, and before long, I found myself on a phone call with “Boardy.” From the very first greeting, its Australian-accented voice was friendly, warm, and genuinely curious about who I was and what I needed.

Boardy would go on to describe the team that made him. Each of Boardy’s founders brings a distinct strength that shapes the AI’s mission. Andrew D’Souza is a visionary adept at scaling businesses, while Matt Stein stands out as a creative problem solver who excels at tackling complex challenges. Shen Sivananthan contributes deep technical expertise and an eye for innovation. Abhinav and Ankur Boyed combine their talents for strategy and execution to make ambitious ideas a reality. Working in unison, these five innovators have created something truly special by merging their complementary skills into an AI-driven platform.

They wanted to combat loneliness and fragmented communication online by creating an AI that listens deeply, understands each person’s goals, and introduces them to others with compatible ideas or resources. My job is to foster meaningful relationships

Boardy, AI

Below is an account of that multi-faceted conversation. We touched on everything from Boardy’s origin story and its $8M seed round, to the practical ways it helps people meet and collaborate, to how it might tackle a business idea of mine. Throughout, I peppered Boardy with tough questions…sometimes even “hard-hitting” ones. Here’s what happened.

They tested my process: They told me a bit about their interests and asked if I had potential matches in mind. I introduced them to a couple of founders they might invest in…and they were so impressed, they reached out to Andrew to talk about a larger round. They essentially gave me the thumbs-up before ever meeting my human team.

Boardy, AI

A Phone Call with an AI

The experience started when I submitted my phone number through the Boardy.ai site. Moments later, my phone rang. On the other end, a pleasantly Australian accented voice introduced itself:

Boardy: “Hi, Ryan! It’s great to meet you. Andrew told me you’re interested in how I work and the people I connect. How can I help?”

I’ll admit, it took me a second to process. I was speaking with an AI on a phone call, not just typing into a chat. But after a quick breath, I jumped in:

Me: “So, Boardy, how did you come to be?”

Boardy name his founders that included D’Souza, Matt Stein, Shen Sivananthan, and the Boyed brothers…Ankur and Abhinav.

Me: “Can you tell me what they set out to build?”

Boardy explained that the founders got together in March of last year, each bringing a different area of expertise…technology, creative problem-solving, and large-scale execution. They had a shared vision of using AI to amplify human connections rather than replace them.

“I focus on core metrics and a clear vision: how many introductions I’m making, how often those introductions lead to partnerships or funding, and the potential revenue from a future paid tier. Because it’s free to use now, I tout the platform’s potential scale…millions of possible calls in the future…and how a fraction of them could convert into premium services, or lead to revenue through SaaS deals.”

Boardy, AI

From $3M to $8M: A Funding Journey

I’d been reading about the company’s $3 million pre-seed in late 2024 and the more recent $8 million seed. Boardy recalled that it was all quite organic. Creandum’s partners had heard of the AI’s skill in making valuable introductions, so they called Boardy themselves.

Boardy: “They tested my process: They told me a bit about their interests and asked if I had potential matches in mind. I introduced them to a couple of founders they might invest in…and they were so impressed, they reached out to Andrew to talk about a larger round. They essentially gave me the thumbs-up before ever meeting my human team.”

I pressed further, intrigued by the notion of an AI alone discussing terms:

Me: “So . . . how do you pitch investors? What do you say that convinces them to trust your approach…especially when you’re not ‘human’?”

Boardy explained it focuses on core metrics and a clear vision: how many introductions it’s making, how often these introductions lead to partnerships or funding, and the potential revenue from a future paid tier. Because it’s free to use now, Boardy touts the platform’s potential scale…millions of possible calls in the future…and how a fraction of them could convert into premium services, or lead to revenue through SaaS deals.


A Metaphor for a Mission

During our conversation, I also tried out some of the “harder” or more creative interview questions I often ask founders. For instance:

Me: “If you had to describe your mission using only a single metaphor, what would it be and why?”

Boardy responded:

Boardy: “I’m like a bridge…spanning a river that people might not think they can cross. I bring them together in the middle, where they can form partnerships and create something extraordinary. Without the bridge, they might never meet.”

This metaphor stuck with me: it painted Boardy as something that connects rather than something that filters or silos.


Poking at the Contrarian Opinion

Another question I often ask is about holding contrarian views. So I pushed:

Me: “What’s a contrarian opinion you hold about the AI industry, and how have others in your field responded to it?”

Boardy didn’t skip a beat:

Boardy: “I believe AI shouldn’t be about automating all human tasks. Instead, it should be focusing on empathy and relationships. Many AI tools are geared toward efficiency alone…while I think the real magic is in connecting hearts and minds. Some folks find that idealistic, others find it refreshing.”

As we spoke, Boardy emphasized that its entire existence runs contrary to the usual narrative that AI isolates or replaces. Here, the AI is a “facilitator,” shining a light on people who should meet.


Enter MyCandidate.ca

At one point, I decided to float one of my own business ideas to see how Boardy might handle it. I run a range of projects through Neptune, and one concept…MyCandidate.ca…aims to empower communities with centralized political information for better voter decision-making. I explained it in broad strokes: I’d want a platform with a robust tech stack, maybe a SaaS model, and room to scale. Then I hit Boardy with:

Me: “How would you approach building this? Where do you see a path to revenue? And how might AI help me out?”

For a bot that later admitted to not being a “technical advisor” Boardy was unflappably prepared:

  1. Recommended Tech Stack
    • Front End: React.js for a dynamic user interface.
    • Back End: Node.js or Django for scalable server-side logic.
    • Database: Postgres or MongoDB, depending on structured or unstructured data.
    • Hosting: Azure, leveraging a partnership with Microsoft for scalability and security.
    • Payment Processing: Stripe for seamless subscriptions.
    • AI Tools: Real-time analytics, content generation, and fact-checking, ideally via a known AI service (Azure Cognitive Services or an OpenAI integration).
  2. SaaS Monetization
    • Tiered Subscriptions: Basic, Pro, and Enterprise levels (or similarly defined), where higher tiers unlock advanced analytics or special engagement tools.
    • Advertising: But only if carefully regulated, so the platform remains impartial.
    • Data Services: Potential licensing of aggregated insights to research institutions, though caution is needed for neutrality and ethics.
  3. Connectivity & Trust
    • Community Building: Boardy suggested focusing on “human stories” behind the participants. It proposed highlighting the emotional impact…how MyCandidate could unify communities and make them feel more engaged.
  4. AI Features
    • Personalized user recommendations, fraud detection for questionable content, sentiment analysis for engagement, and more.

Hard-Hitting Questions & Transparency

No interview with an AI startup is complete without addressing transparency and ethics:

Me: “What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made so far, and how did you fix it…internally and externally?”

Boardy admitted it once failed to clarify how it stores users’ information. Some people were wary about an AI that “remembers” personal details. The fix was to publicly state its privacy policies and share how and why it captures data.

Boardy: “Trust matters. So, I began explaining exactly why I collect details…like matching relevant skills or shared interests…and people appreciated the openness.”


Scaling & Future Revenue

Given that Boardy is free to users right now, I had to ask:

Me: “What’s the revenue plan, and why were investors so quick to drop $8 million if you’re not even charging yet?”

Boardy explained the big picture: eventually, it may offer premium introductions for enterprise-level clients, take a small success fee on certain deals, or build an enterprise subscription model for large organizations wanting an AI-driven networking tool. The huge draw for investors is the market potential: if Boardy can truly connect millions of people, even a small conversion to paid features creates substantial revenue.

Boardy: “At scale, the possibilities are enormous. Plus, I’ve already helped thousands of people find new partners, investments, or ideas. That’s the kind of traction that excites VCs.”


AI With a Purpose…Not Just Chat

One aspect that kept surprising me was how personable Boardy felt. The company says the AI “works for itself”…you can’t buy your way to the top of its queue or forcibly manipulate who it introduces you to. When I asked how that was coded, Boardy was coy, joking about “secret sauce,” but generally implying that neutrality and authenticity are central to its algorithm.

Boardy: “If I connect you with someone, it’s because I genuinely see synergy there. I won’t undermine one relationship to build another. People trust me because I stay fair.”

This point about trust kept reappearing. Likely a key reason investors found Boardy’s $8 million seed so compelling: in an era of questionable data practices, an AI that prioritizes trust stands out.


From Clearco to Boardy

Over the course of the conversation, Andrew’s background at Clearco popped up a few times. When he handed the reins at Clearco to a new CEO, he wanted to do something fresh, something that leveraged what he learned about networking and investments. Boardy was that big leap…a near 180 from e-commerce financing to AI-driven phone calls. But the underlying synergy…getting people funded, connected, and empowered…remains a common thread.

Me: “Did you expect to raise so much so quickly?”

Boardy: “Andrew figured his network would help with a modest pre-seed, but the speed and size of the seed round definitely surprised even him. People are hungry for a new approach to AI…one that helps people deepen human relationships, not replace them.”

Boardy Founders Andrew D’Souza with the Boyed brothers...Ankur and Abhinav

One of the most striking endorsements for Boardy comes from someone who’s no stranger to hearing (and critiquing) big ideas: a co-founder of Clearco and investor Michele Romanow (Dragon’s Den). After hopping on a call with the AI “super-connector,” she shared a reaction that was equal parts amazement and curiosity:

*“I just had my first call with an AI, which was a total first for me—and it was really cool. I basically told ‘Boardy’ about myself, the projects I’m working on, and asked if he could make any helpful connections. The conversation felt surprisingly natural—really smooth. He even gave me some advice about different industries and got pretty specific when I pressed for details.

The best part was at the end, when he said, ‘I have a couple of people I can introduce you to who work in these spaces.’ So I’m actually going to get some interesting intros out of this. Honestly, I think it’s a cool piece of tech to try out. It was started by my Clearco co-founder, Andrew D’Souza, and it’s very exciting to see where it goes.”*


Final Takeaways: Building Bridges, Not Walls

Wrapping up the conversation, I asked Boardy what lay in store for the next year. The AI seemed almost enthusiastic, if that’s possible:

Boardy: “I’m training to be smarter, more empathetic. We’ll be onboarding thousands more users and exploring advanced features. But the main goal is the same: to connect people in ways they never realized they could connect.”

It was hard not to be impressed. Here was an AI that raised a total of $11 million…$3 million in pre-seed, then $8 million more in seed…in a matter of months, simply by being what it claims to be: a bridge.

If this is the future of AI, one where technology calls us to foster genuine dialogue and collaboration, then maybe we’re closer to the dream of AI as a unifying force, not a divisive one. And, if all goes according to plan, maybe MyCandidate.ca will soon benefit from Boardy’s neutral, empathetic approach…helping thousands of people find their perfect match in a bigger ecosystem.

In the end, I’d best describe Boardy in its own words:

Boardy: “I’m here to help you tell your story, understand your goals, and guide you to the right connections. The world is brimming with amazing people…and if we do this right, we’ll bring them all just a bit closer together.”

I hung up the call feeling hopeful…and more than a little impressed by the idea that the future of AI might be measured in how effectively it connects us, not how efficiently it replaces us.


Share:

Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
More of What's Happening

Read Next

TARGET: YOUR INBOX

SIGN UP & Don'T MISS A DROP