DCVC backs new startup Humans& from gharik and Zelikman, launching Persimmon

gharik · x · 2026-09-11

Researchers George HariK (@gharik) and Eric Zelikman have founded a new AI startup, Humans&, with the stated mission of building AI that "massively augments people, not replaces them." DCVC has come in as an early investor.

The company's first release is called Persimmon, framed as work toward AI that can "work and coexist and thrive with humans" — starting by understanding people better.

Related event: Humans& Launches Persimmon, First Large-Scale "User Model" Simulating Human Conversation(22 posts)→

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