Kais Khimji Launches Blockit: A Game-Changer in AI Scheduling
Kais Khimji, a seasoned venture investor, is making headlines as he transitions from the investment world to the startup arena with his innovative AI scheduling company, Blockit. Known for his six-year tenure as a partner at Sequoia Capital, Khimji has always harbored aspirations of becoming a startup founder, much like his former colleagues, including David Vélez of Nubank fame.
Reviving a Decade-Old Vision
This Thursday, Khimji revealed that he is bringing a concept he first explored as a Harvard student ten years ago back to life. Blockit, his brainchild, has secured significant backing, with Sequoia Capital leading a $5 million seed funding round to support its development.
Blockit’s Unique Approach to Scheduling
In a blog post, Pat Grady, Sequoia’s general partner, expressed confidence in Blockit’s potential to achieve over $1 billion in revenue, stating, “Kais will ensure it gets there.” What sets Blockit apart in the crowded scheduling landscape is its reliance on AI agents that leverage advances in large language models (LLMs) to navigate the complex scheduling landscape more effectively than previous attempts by companies like Clara Labs and x.ai.
Redefining the Scheduling Experience
Unlike leading competitors such as Calendly, which has a valuation of $3 billion and predominantly functions through shared links to identify availability, Blockit offers a unique solution. Its AI-driven agents are designed to autonomously manage the entire scheduling process, eliminating the often cumbersome back-and-forth communications that can be a headache for users.
Building an AI Social Network
Blockit aims to create a kind of “AI social network for people’s time,” according to Khimji, who co-founded the company alongside John Hahn, a veteran in calendar products. Khimji articulated the peculiar disconnect that exists in the current scheduling landscape: “It always felt very odd. I have a time database—my calendar. You have a time database—your calendar—and our databases just can’t talk to each other,” he shared with TechCrunch.
Streamlining Meetings Through AI
Khimji believes Blockit can bridge this gap. When two users seek to connect, their respective AI agents communicate directly, efficiently negotiating a suitable meeting time without the redundant email exchanges typical of modern scheduling.
A Seamless User Experience
Users engage the Blockit agent simply by including it in an email or messaging it via platforms like Slack. Once triggered, the bot coordinates all logistics, ensuring that meeting times and locations fit everyone’s preferences. “Sometimes my calendar is crazy, so I need to skip lunch, and the agent needs to know that it’s okay to skip lunch,” Khimji explained, emphasizing the need for personalized control within the scheduling process.
Prioritizing Meetings Based on Context
Additionally, Blockit can prioritize meetings intelligently based on the nuances of communication. Users can program the agent to favor more formal requests over casual ones, ensuring that important meetings take precedence. This contextual understanding is in line with insights shared by Jaya Gupta and Ashu Garg from Foundation Capital, who highlight the emerging role of AI agents in deciphering the hidden logic behind business decisions.
A Growing User Base
Blockit is already attracting attention, with over 200 companies utilizing its services. Notable users include Together.ai, the fintech firm Brex, and robotics startup Rogo, along with venture capital firms such as a16z, Accel, and Index. For a limited time, the app is free for 30 days, after which individual subscriptions are priced at $1,000 annually, while team licenses are available for $5,000 yearly.
The Future of Scheduling Awaits
As Blockit aims to revolutionize the way we manage our time, Khimji’s transition from venture investing to startup founding holds the potential to redefine the scheduling landscape. With innovative ideas and the support of proven investors, Blockit is positioned to be a game-changer in optimizing how we connect and collaborate.
