YC-backed Poly relaunches as a cloud-hosted file storage with AI search

A new player in the cloud storage arena, Poly, has emerged with a unique offering that harnesses the capabilities of AI to streamline file management. The startup encourages users to consolidate their files into one platform, making it easier to search for and retrieve information quickly. At launch, Poly is providing users with an impressive 100GB of free storage, marking a significant leap in its evolution from a previous product aimed at creating 3D assets. Founded by Abhay Agarwal and Sam Young in 2022, the company has pivoted from its original concept after recognizing the growing demand for efficient file organization. Agarwal, who is also a research fellow at Microsoft, acknowledged that the rapid expansion of the AI image generation sector caught them off guard, prompting a shift in focus. "After engaging with our users about their workflow challenges, we discovered that many struggled with file organization. Our goal became clear: to simplify this process," he explained. Following the closure of its prior iteration in 2023 and a period of stealth development, Poly is now stepping into the spotlight with a cloud-based file organizer. The platform is currently available on the web and Mac, with plans for a Windows version in the near future. Users on the waitlist can begin onboarding today. Having secured $8 million in seed funding led by Felicis, alongside investments from Bloomberg Beta and others, Poly is poised for growth. As James Cham from Bloomberg Beta notes, "File systems are powerful yet often overlooked. Poly aims to reinvigorate them as the focal point of user interaction, utilizing AI for clearer thinking." Poly functions as a cloud storage service enhanced with AI capabilities. It supports a variety of file types, including text documents, PDFs, images, audio, video, and URLs. Users can upload files, tag them, and even query the AI for summaries or translations. The tool not only organizes files but also simplifies tasks like creating folders and renaming files. While it offers a robust alternative to Google’s NotebookLM, Poly currently lacks access to real-time web content and multimedia creation features. However, future updates will include web search capabilities, a built-in text and markdown editor, and enhanced metadata options. Collaboration features are also in the works, allowing users to create shared drives and invite colleagues to engage with their files. This functionality could be particularly beneficial for teams working on projects together. Poly aims to compete directly with established services like Dropbox and Google Drive, and initial testing suggests its search capabilities may outperform those of Google. With a generous 100GB of free storage, Poly stands out in a crowded market, especially compared to competitors' free offerings. Users seeking more capacity can opt for a subscription of $10 per month for 1TB of storage. While direct photo syncing isn’t available yet, it’s a feature that may be developed in the future, positioning Poly as a potential alternative to Google Photos. Agarwal emphasized that Poly is designed with Gen AI creators and knowledge workers in mind, serving those who require insight from extensive data, such as service executives analyzing customer interactions. Additionally, the startup is exploring integrations that would allow Poly to work seamlessly with tools like ChatGPT, enhancing its utility in various workflows. As Poly continues to evolve, it aims to redefine how users interact with their digital files, making information retrieval more efficient than ever.