Othello uses AI to tell salespeople what to say during calls. See the pitch deck that helped it raise $8 million. (www.businessinsider.com)

Othello, a startup founded by Jared Zelman, has raised $8 million in seed funding to enhance its AI-driven platform, which provides real-time coaching for salespeople during calls. The platform analyzes video calls using AI trained on 20 million hours of sales conversations to offer instant suggestions on questions to ask and replies to potential objections, allowing sales reps to capitalize on missed opportunities. This funding round was led by Andreessen Horowitz's A16z Speedrun and Owl Capital, reflecting growing interest in AI solutions for sales optimization, as companies like Microsoft and Capital One adopt the service. The significance of Othello lies in its ability to deliver rapid, accurate recommendations during live conversations, distinguishing it from established competitors like Gong and Salesloft that focus on post-call analysis. Zelman emphasizes the platform's potential for not just increasing sales efficiency but also bridging the gap between sales and marketing by ensuring that reps utilize available materials effectively. Future enhancements will include individual coaching capabilities and compatibility with smart glasses for in-person meetings, pointing to a broader trend in leveraging AI to boost human productivity in sales. Othello aims to expand its team and further invest in its technology to solidify its position in the fast-evolving landscape of sales enablement tools.