Exa Labs is emerging as a key player in the search market. The San Francisco–based startup has developed a search engine tailored for AI applications, addressing the unique needs of large language models (LLMs) and other AI systems. Unlike traditional search engines optimized for human users, Exa’s platform is designed to provide precise, structured data retrieval for AI agents.
What Is Exa Labs?
Founded in 2021, Exa Labs aims to revolutionize how AI systems access and process information from the web. Their platform offers a suite of tools, including a web search API, website crawler, and deep research capabilities, enabling developers to integrate advanced search functionalities into their AI applications. The company’s approach focuses on delivering high-quality, relevant data without the distractions of advertising, providing a clean and efficient search experience for AI models.
Background
- Company: Exa Labs
- Founded: 2025
- Funding: $11M NVentures, Y Combinator, and othersÂ
- Founders: Will Bryk, CEO, and Jeff Wang, Co-founder
- # of Employees: 82Â (LinkedIn)
- Product: Search for AI
Key Developments and Offerings
- Advanced Search Capabilities: Exa’s search engine is optimized for AI use cases, supporting complex queries and structured data retrieval. This is particularly beneficial for applications requiring up-to-date information, such as news aggregation, code search, and research analysis.
- High-Performance Infrastructure: The company has invested in robust infrastructure, including deploying 18 servers equipped with NVIDIA H200 GPUs, to support the intensive computational demands of their search engine.
- Developer-Friendly Tools: Exa provides a comprehensive API, allowing developers to seamlessly integrate web search capabilities into their applications. The platform also offers enterprise-grade support, including SLAs, MSAs, and zero data retention policies, ensuring reliability and security for business-critical applications.
Recent Funding
In September 2025, Exa Labs secured $85 million in a Series B funding round, bringing its valuation to $700 million. The round was led by Benchmark, with participation from Lightspeed, Y Combinator, and NVentures, NVIDIA’s venture capital arm. This significant investment underscores the growing confidence in Exa’s vision and the increasing demand for specialized AI infrastructure solutions.
Summary
Exa Labs’ focus on AI-optimized search solutions highlights a shift towards specialized infrastructure in the AI sector. As AI applications become more complex and data-intensive, the need for tailored tools that can efficiently handle specific tasks is becoming more apparent. Exa’s approach not only addresses this need but also sets a precedent for future developments in AI infrastructure.
In conclusion, Exa Labs is at the forefront of a critical evolution in AI infrastructure, providing the tools necessary for the next generation of intelligent applications. Their commitment to delivering high-quality, AI-optimized search solutions positions them as a key player in the AI ecosystem.