Y Combinator-Backed Motion Raises $38M to Build AI Agent Suite for SMBs

Y Combinator-Backed Motion Secures $38M to Expand AI Agent Platform for SMBs

At just 29 years old, Harry Qi transitioned from a lucrative career as a quantitative analyst to co-founding Motion, an AI-driven productivity startup targeting small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). Alongside co-founders Omid Rooholfada, Ethan Yu, and later Chander Ramesh, Qi has built a platform that integrates a suite of AI agents designed to automate key business functions.

From Hedge Funds to AI Innovation

Qi’s journey began in the hedge fund world, where he earned approximately $1 million annually by age 23. Despite financial success, he sought greater impact, leading him and his colleagues to develop an AI calendaring and task management app. Accepted into Y Combinator’s Winter 2020 batch, the founders left their jobs to focus on building Motion.

Rapid Growth Following AI Agent Launch

After six years of gradual growth among professional consumers, Motion launched an integrated AI agent bundle for SMBs in May 2025. The offering includes virtual agents acting as executive assistants, sales representatives, customer support agents, and marketing assistants capable of generating blog and social media content.

Within four months, Motion’s B2B segment expanded to over 10,000 customers and generated $10 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR). This surge prompted a $38 million Series C round led by Stacey Bishop at Scale Venture Partners, valuing the company at $550 million post-money. The round was oversubscribed fivefold, reflecting strong investor confidence.

Comprehensive Integration and Scalable Pricing

Motion’s AI agents integrate seamlessly with widely used SMB tools such as Slack, Google Apps, Microsoft Teams, and Salesforce. The platform operates on a usage-based pricing model, starting at $29 per month for a single user with limited agent functions, scaling up to $600 monthly for 25 seats with full agent access and 250,000 credits. Customized pricing is available for larger requirements.

Vision to Build the ‘Microsoft Office’ of AI Agents

Qi compares Motion’s strategy to Microsoft Office, emphasizing the importance of a unified suite rather than disparate AI products that function independently. “You basically have to build all the applications,” he says, highlighting the potential to create a comprehensive platform that streamlines multiple business processes.

Despite the challenges of operating in a rapidly evolving AI sector, Qi finds motivation in direct customer feedback, often receiving messages about how Motion improves productivity and revenue. Although he acknowledges that his current earnings as a founder are modest compared to his former hedge fund income, Qi is committed to building a lasting company.

“What gets you out of bed is just knowing you actually built something useful,” Qi reflects, underscoring the company’s mission to empower SMBs through accessible AI technology.