Marissa Mayer, former CEO of Yahoo and early senior leader at Google, is launching a new tech venture called Dazzle. She is positioning the company to be part of the next wave of consumer-focused artificial intelligence products, marking a notable moment in Consumer AI startup funding.
Dazzle announced it has raised $8 million in a seed funding round at a $35 million valuation, a significant milestone in Dazzle funding. The round was led by venture capital partner Kirsten Green of Forerunner Ventures, a move widely seen as a strong Forerunner Ventures investment. Other investors include Kleiner Perkins, Greycroft, Offline Ventures, Slow Ventures, and Bling Capital.
Mayer has not yet revealed exactly what Dazzle will do, but the company’s stated goal is to build a Next generation AI personal assistant. Work on Dazzle began last summer at Mayer’s last company, Sunshine, where a new prototype quickly took shape and eclipsed earlier projects in terms of promise and excitement. Mayer told TechCrunch the team felt the possibilities for this new AI were much greater than what they were building before, reinforcing interest in the Marissa Mayer AI startup.
Sunshine had struggled to find traction in its earlier years. Originally known as Lumi Labs, the startup launched a contact management app that failed to attract a broad user base and faced criticism over privacy concerns. Later additions, including photo-sharing and event management tools, also failed to gain momentum. After six years of that effort, Mayer closed Sunshine and shifted focus to Dazzle, resetting expectations around future Dazzle funding outcomes.
It is very important that Landing Green has become the main investor. Forerunner Ventures has a long list of successful investments in consumer brands that become recognized all over the world. The backing of Forerunner Ventures shows that the investor believes in Mayer’s vision and is ready to see the AI made useful for common people, another example of Consumer AI startup funding driven by conviction. Mayer admitted that having a reliable financier is very important at this point, especially with a long-term Forerunner Ventures investment in place.
Mayer’s tech career began at Google, where she was employee number 20 and helped shape the look and feel of Google Search and work on products like Maps and AdWords. Later, as CEO of Yahoo, she led the business through a period of transition. With Dazzle, she wants to return to building a product that deeply affects how people use technology every day, a core ambition behind the Marissa Mayer AI startup.
Mayer says she learned from the challenges at Sunshine what it takes to build a more resilient and impactful company. Dazzle is expected to come out of stealth mode early next year with a clear focus on a Next generation AI personal assistant, and the momentum around Dazzle funding continues to build.
For now, investors and industry watchers are paying attention to how Mayer applies her experience to the evolving landscape of consumer AI. The combination of a Next generation AI personal assistant, rising Consumer AI startup funding, and sustained Forerunner Ventures investment keeps Dazzle firmly on the radar.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Dazzle and who is the founder of Dazzle?
Dazzle is an AI startup aiming at the new generation of AI personal assistants which is equipped with the latest technologies. In 2025, the well-known tech person Marissa Mayer, who had previously served as the CEO of Yahoo and had been one of Google’s first employees, was the founder of the company.
- How much funding did Dazzle raise and who led the round?
Dazzle has had a seed funding round of $8 million at a post-money valuation of $35 million. The round was spearheaded by Kirsten Green of Forerunner Ventures, with Kleiner Perkins, Greycroft, Offline Ventures, Slow Ventures, and Bling Capital all participating.
- What is the goal of Dazzle’s technology?
The aim of the company is to create artificial intelligence that is user-friendly and that takes care of complicated matters. Dazzle is planning to introduce AI personal assistant tools that will lessen the gap between people’s desires and the functionalities of existing AI systems.
- What happened to Marissa Mayer’s previous startup, Sunshine?
Marissa Mayer’s former AI startup, Sunshine (previously Lumi Labs), was shut down before Dazzle brought out its product. The talent and knowledge from Sunshine have been the major factors in deciding Dazzle’s new project focus and strategy.
- When can people expect Dazzle’s first product?
Dazzle is working in stealth mode and has not yet released a product for public consumption. The company plans to emerge from stealth mode and unveil its first products in early 2026, along with the ongoing development and expansion of the team.
