A new startup, Poly, is launching a cloud-based service designed to streamline how users find information within their own files using artificial intelligence. The tool offers a unique approach to natural language search, allowing users to upload and query documents, images, audio, video, and web links directly, rather than relying on traditional folder structures. Poly is currently onboarding users from its waitlist and offering 100GB of storage on its free tier.
Founded in 2022, Poly represents a significant pivot for its creators. The company initially focused on AI-powered 3D asset creation but shifted direction after identifying a key pain point for users: difficulty in organizing and retrieving information from their increasingly large digital files.
From 3D Assets to AI-Powered File Search
Poly’s founder, Abhay Agarwal, explained that the original concept didn’t anticipate the rapid growth in the AI image generation landscape. After interviewing users, the team discovered a strong need for better file organization. “We realized people were struggling to find what they needed within their existing systems,” Agarwal said.
The company shut down its first product in 2023 and spent the subsequent months in stealth development building the current file management tool. Available now for web and Mac users, with a Windows version planned, Poly aims to simplify access to personal data. The service recently raised $8 million in seed funding led by Felicis, bringing its total funding to date to $11.9 million.
How Poly Works
Poly functions as a cloud storage solution enhanced with AI search capabilities. Users can upload various file types – including text documents, PDFs, and multimedia – or simply paste links to web content. The AI assistant then allows for queries using plain language, generating summaries, translations, and insights from the uploaded material.
Additionally, Poly offers automated file organization features, creating and renaming folders as needed. This differs from existing cloud storage by attempting to understand the content of files alongside their naming conventions – enabling more intuitive document search.
Competitive Landscape and Future Development
Agarwal positions Poly as a more robust alternative to tools like Google’s NotebookLM, which offers similar AI-powered analysis of uploaded files. However, he notes Poly currently lacks NotebookLM’s access to real-time web knowledge and ability to generate audio or video outputs.
The company plans to address these limitations with upcoming features. These include integrated web search, the ability to create styled reports directly within the app, a built-in text and markdown editor, and enhanced spreadsheet analysis capabilities using AI agents. Furthermore, Poly intends to allow direct linking to Google Docs and provide options for sharing individual files and folders.
Poly also offers a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, enabling integration with other AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Cursor. While direct synchronization with existing storage services isn’t yet available, Agarwal believes Poly’s “virtual file references” will facilitate future import capabilities.
The service aims to compete directly with established players like Dropbox and Google Drive, though early user assessments suggest Poly’s search functionality may surpass that of Google’s own tools. The generous 100GB of free storage also provides a significant advantage over many competing services’ free tiers. Some testers even suggest the tool’s substantial storage may position it as an alternative to photo storage solutions like Google Photos, once photo syncing features are implemented.
Focus on Knowledge Workers
While available for general use, Poly is particularly focused on the needs of “Gen AI native creators and knowledge workers.” According to Agarwal, this includes professionals who regularly research content or sift through large files to extract valuable information, such as analyzing transcripts of customer calls.
The company observed in beta testing that users quickly utilized the available storage for active project work, rather than long-term archival.
Looking ahead, Poly’s success will depend on its ability to deliver on promised features, integrate seamlessly with popular workflows, and sustain its competitive storage offering. The company has not announced a firm timeline for the launch of its Windows application or its advanced features, making those key areas to watch in the coming months.
