Marissa Mayer’s new startup Dazzle raises $8M led by Forerunner’s Kirsten Green (techcrunch.com)

Marissa Mayer, former CEO of Yahoo, has launched a new startup called Dazzle, focusing on next-generation AI personal assistants, after winding down her previous venture, Sunshine. Dazzle recently secured an $8 million seed funding round led by Kirsten Green of Forerunner Ventures, who has a reputation for spotting successful consumer brands. This move signifies an expanding interest in consumer-facing AI solutions, a sector that has been considered a “late bloomer” in the AI revolution, suggesting a strategic shift towards more engaging and impactful technology in everyday life. While specific features of Dazzle remain undisclosed, Mayer emphasizes that the startup aims to create AI tools with a much larger impact than her previous endeavors. Reflecting on the challenges faced by Sunshine, which struggled with consumer traction and skepticism due to privacy concerns, Mayer believes the lessons learned will propel Dazzle's success. With its launch anticipated in early 2024, the investment by Green not only enhances Dazzle's credibility but also signifies potentially transformative advancements in how AI personal assistants can integrate into users' daily activities.