While the term “AI agent” still lacks a universal definition, a growing number of startups are racing to develop autonomous digital assistants capable of handling complex tasks. One standout company in this emerging field is Browser Use, which is attracting considerable attention from developers and investors alike. The company’s innovative solution transforms websites into more accessible formats for AI-driven automation.
Browser Use recently announced a substantial $17 million seed funding round, spearheaded by Felicis’ Astasia Myers, with backing from Paul Graham, A Capital, and Nexus Venture Partners. Notably, this funding round had not been publicly disclosed until now.
A participant in Y Combinator’s Winter 2025 cohort, Browser Use has rapidly gained traction, with its technology being adopted by notable AI projects. One of the key drivers behind its recent surge in popularity was Chinese startup Butterfly Effect, which integrated Browser Use into its viral AI-powered tool, Manus.
The Genesis of Browser Use
The company was co-founded in 2024 by Magnus Müller and Gregor Zunic during their time at ETH Zurich’s Student Project House accelerator. Müller, an experienced developer specializing in web-scraping tools, met Zunic while they were both pursuing master’s degrees in data science. Their combined expertise led to the development of a system that blends web scraping with AI-driven decision-making for seamless browser interactions.
Within just five weeks, Müller and Zunic built a working prototype of Browser Use—and the response was overwhelming. Their decision to open-source the project further fueled its rapid adoption.
How Browser Use Enhances AI Web Navigation
At its core, Browser Use restructures web pages into a more text-based, structured format, allowing AI agents to navigate and interact with websites more effectively. This approach is a game-changer, particularly in contrast to vision-based AI models that rely on interpreting screenshots—a method that often leads to inefficiencies and errors.
“Many AI agents struggle with visual-based navigation, often breaking when site layouts change,” Müller explained. “We transform websites into formats that agents can reliably understand, reducing costs and improving performance.”
With AI-driven web interaction becoming a critical need, Browser Use aims to establish itself as a foundational technology in this space. More than 20 startups from Y Combinator’s Winter 2025 batch are already leveraging the tool to optimize their own AI solutions.
A Growing Market for AI-Optimized Websites
Businesses are increasingly approaching Browser Use to improve AI accessibility on their websites. Sites like LinkedIn frequently update their structure, making it difficult for AI agents to function effectively. Browser Use offers a robust solution to this challenge, enabling AI models to adapt dynamically to changing web environments.
Investor Astasia Myers of Felicis highlighted why her firm was eager to back the startup. “We’ve been closely monitoring AI agent development for years, and Browser Use aligns perfectly with our vision for the future of web-based AI,” she said. “Their open-source-first mindset and strong founding team made it an easy decision for us.”
As the demand for intelligent, autonomous AI agents grows, Browser Use is positioning itself as a critical bridge between traditional AI models and the constantly evolving digital landscape. With significant funding secured, the company is poised to reshape how AI navigates the web—and potentially, how businesses structure their online presence for the AI-driven future.
