Console raises $6.2M from Thrive to free IT teams from mundane tasks with AI

Experiencing a lockout from your work computer can trigger an urgent need for IT assistance, often leading to frustrating delays as help desk staff juggle multiple requests. Recognizing this challenge, Andrei Serban—who previously led product development at Rippling—identified an opportunity to leverage AI to streamline IT support. After his previous startup, Fuzzbuzz, was acquired by Rippling in 2023, Serban departed to establish Console, a new venture dedicated to alleviating the burden of repetitive tasks faced by IT teams. Console aims to automate fundamental help desk functions, such as password resets and app access management, to allow IT professionals to focus on more complex projects. What sets Console apart from other players in the space, like Moveworks, which was recently acquired by ServiceNow for $2.85 billion, is its straightforward integration process. By seamlessly connecting with Slack, Console’s AI assistant can be deployed company-wide in a matter of weeks without the need to overhaul the existing help desk system. As companies increasingly digitize their operations, Serban believes the role of IT will only grow in importance. Employees can interact with the AI through Slack, receiving immediate responses based on comprehensive user profiles, which include details about their devices and app permissions. Console's AI is capable of independently handling over 50% of tasks, escalating more complicated issues to human IT staff as necessary. This rapid deployment has attracted notable clients like Scale AI, Flock Safety, and Calendly, contributing to Console's successful seed funding round of $6.2 million led by Thrive Capital. Vince Hankes, a partner at Thrive, expressed confidence in Console’s potential, highlighting the firm’s long-standing interest in AI's capacity to enhance IT operations since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022. While acknowledging that the swift integration might suggest a lack of durability, Hankes believes the technology will evolve rapidly with user engagement, ultimately becoming an essential tool for employees. Looking ahead, Console aims to expand its capabilities to cover additional areas such as HR, finance, and legal inquiries, with Serban stating, 'We want Console to be an employee’s first call for help.'