A new startup in Seattle is working on artificial intelligence (AI) that can take over repetitive office tasks. The company, called Caddi, has recently secured $5 million in funding to expand its technology. Its goal is to reduce manual work in businesses by allowing AI to learn from human actions and create automated workflows.
Caddi was founded by Alejandro Castellano and Aditya Sastry, who aim to simplify everyday office processes, particularly in legal and financial sectors. Instead of requiring employees to do routine administrative work, Caddi’s system records user activity and converts it into automated processes.
How Caddi’s AI Works
Caddi’s approach is based on a method known as “automation by demonstration.” Employees perform a task while the system records their screen and listens to their explanation. The AI then studies these recordings and creates an automated system that can carry out the same tasks without human input.
Unlike traditional automation tools, which often require technical expertise to set up, Caddi’s technology allows anyone to create automated processes without needing programming knowledge. This makes automation more accessible to businesses that may not have in-house IT teams.
Founders and Background
Caddi was launched in August by Alejandro Castellano and Aditya Sastry. Castellano, originally from Peru, has experience managing financial investments and later pursued a master’s degree in engineering at Cornell University. Afterward, he joined an AI startup incubator, where he focused on developing new technology solutions.
Sastry, on the other hand, has a background in data science and has led engineering teams at multiple startups. Before co-founding Caddi, he was the director of engineering at an insurance technology firm. The founding team also includes Dallas Slaughter, an experienced engineer.
The company plans to grow its team to 15 employees over the next year. Investors supporting Caddi include Ubiquity Ventures, Founders’ Co-op, and AI2 Incubator. As part of the investment deal, Sunil Nagaraj, a general partner at Ubiquity Ventures, has joined Caddi’s board. He has previously invested in successful startups, including a company that was later acquired for billions of dollars.
Competing with Other Automation Tools
AI-powered automation is a growing industry, and Caddi faces competition from several other companies. Platforms like Zapier and Make also offer automation services, but they require users to understand concepts like data triggers and workflow mapping. In contrast, Caddi eliminates the need for manual setup by allowing AI to learn directly from user actions.
Other competitors, such as UiPath and Automation Anywhere, rely on mimicking human interactions with software, such as clicking buttons and filling out forms. However, this method can be unreliable when software interfaces change. Caddi takes a different approach by connecting directly with software through APIs, making its automation process more stable and accurate.
Future Plans and Industry Impact
Caddi began testing its AI tools with a small group of users in late 2024. The company is now expanding access and plans to release its automation tools to the public as a subscription service later this year.
As businesses look for ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs, AI-powered automation is becoming increasingly popular. However, concerns remain about the reliability and accuracy of these tools, especially in highly regulated industries. Caddi aims to address these concerns by offering a system that minimizes errors and is easier to use than traditional automation solutions.
By allowing professionals in law, finance, and other fields to automate routine tasks, Caddi’s technology helps businesses focus on more important work. Its approach to AI-driven automation could change how companies handle office tasks, making work faster and more efficient.