Wanted to start writing more this year. I like keeping up to date on startups and thought it could be fun highlighting three cool companies each month. No specific guidelines or criteria other than finding them interesting and posting on (or around) the 30th.

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Camel QA is an AI agent that conducts end-to-end testing on applications, ensuring nothing breaks at the last minute. It doesn’t require any source code, creates tests using natural language, and interacts with applications like an actual user.

I came across two clips of CamelQA writing a Yelp review and creating an Apple Music playlist. I’m non-technical, but their timing seems perfect. According to Gitlab, “~40% of DevSecOps teams use AI for automated test generation, and this number is expected to double over the next year.”

They’re a small, Austin-based team that went through YC’s W24 batch. It looks like they’re currently in a closed Beta, but I’d bet they launch fairly soon. Exciting times ahead.

Novig is a company I’m pretty pumped about. They’re the first commission-free sports betting exchange, taking a huge swing in a tight, heavily regulated market.

‘Vig’ is essentially a fee charged by a traditional Sportsbook that helps ensure profit regardless of outcome. It’s responsible for the phrase “the house always wins.” Novig enables users to bet directly against friends or the market, instead of the house. It makes the experience more fair (and profitable) for players.

The company was founded by two Harvard grads with experience in quantitative trading, fintech, and betting markets. While sports betting is legal in half of the states, a betting exchange like Novig is a bit trickier. They’ll have to work alongside regulators as they begin developing and implementing an entirely new regulatory framework.

Scaling could also be an uphill battle. With the top two Sportsbook players eating up 73.4% of the market, Novig will grow by maintaining the status of the ‘most profitable market for players’. Joe Montana is also just a solid name to have on your cap table.

Airchat is Naval Ravikant’s new push-to-talk social networking platform. He calls it 'a dinner party in your pocket'. It combines some of the best features of Instagram, Clubhouse, and TikTok into a simple chat room style.

Naval is challenging the performative angle of traditional social media, opting instead for “the chitchat, the banter, the easy laughter.” Its initial growth was fueled by fans of ‘The Daily Stoic’ / Ryan Holiday. It has evolved to include some unique topics like blue-collar fields and boxing. The optionality to add your voice to the conversation or sit back and observe seems more meaningful than typical social media interactions.

The design is remarkable. Chats allow users to incorporate generative AI photos and (damn near) perfect audio transcriptions. I’ve really enjoyed checking it out.


-Bryce