In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping various industries, Helios is stepping forward with a vision to become the go-to AI operating system for public policy professionals. As the world witnessed the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT in 2022, Helios co-founder and CEO Joe Scheidler was immersed in a different yet equally significant challenge: establishing the White House’s newly formed cybersecurity office and navigating the intricate landscape of public-private partnerships in cyber policy.
Meanwhile, his co-founder, Joseph Farsakh, was engaged in peace negotiations concerning Yemen at the State Department. Their paths crossed during discussions on national security, leading them to explore how advanced language models could fundamentally alter the way public policy is crafted and implemented on a daily basis.
At the level of the White House, decision-making often relies on a mix of outdated tools, spreadsheets, and institutional knowledge. This prompted the founders to ponder: Could there be a more efficient method to enhance decision-making processes, one that integrates AI-driven tools with a deep understanding of public policy dynamics?
This inquiry laid the groundwork for the inception of Helios. To bring this vision to fruition, they enlisted Brandon Smith, a seasoned machine learning expert with a background at major tech companies, to spearhead the technical development of their platform.
“Our unique advantage lies in our exceptional combination of domain knowledge, industry connections, and technical skills, all aimed at addressing a critical issue,” Scheidler shared in an interview.
Helios recently emerged from stealth mode, securing $4 million in seed funding, led by a venture capital firm with contributions from other notable investors. This financial backing is set to propel the company forward as it develops its innovative solutions.
Helios’ flagship product, Proxi, is an AI-driven operating system designed specifically for public policy, regulatory affairs, legal compliance, and government teams. Although still in beta, early feedback indicates that it is gaining traction among federal, state, and local agencies, as well as Fortune 500 companies and startups.
“Our mission is to empower professionals in public policy, legal, and compliance sectors through comprehensive automation, utilizing a network of secure AI agents trained on extensive public policy datasets. This will assist them in everything from strategic advice to complex writing tasks, data analysis, and stakeholder mapping,” Scheidler explained.
Proxi boasts four primary features. The first, named “Consult,” functions as a conversational AI assistant, acting as a constant resource for public policy professionals by continuously monitoring the legislative and regulatory landscape.
Before utilizing the platform, users provide Proxi with details about their roles, projects, and objectives. This information allows the AI to deliver relevant insights each time the user logs in.
Consult bears similarities to other AI platforms that help organizations track geopolitical and business risks, but it is tailored specifically for public policy needs.
The second feature, “Scribe,” is a collaborative writing and editing tool that enables policy professionals to transform discussions with Consult into formal documents, memos, and filings. Following this is “Decipher,” a powerful data analysis tool that assists users in breaking down lengthy bills, reports, and filings into actionable insights and risk notifications.
“Much of my time at the State Department was spent on tasks that could have been streamlined, allowing me to focus on building relationships with lawmakers,” Scheidler noted.
Lastly, Proxi includes a customer relationship management (CRM) tool that visually organizes stakeholder interactions and tracks communication history, including meeting notes.
This all-in-one solution is designed with top-tier encryption standards for federal clients, and the company is currently undergoing compliance audits to ensure security and reliability.
With the seed funding, Helios plans to expand its product and engineering teams, prioritizing the recruitment of top tech talent.
Rather than rushing to monetize, Scheidler emphasizes the importance of cultivating long-term relationships and gathering detailed feedback from early users. “In five to seven years, we envision Helios becoming synonymous with all interactions between government and private sectors,” he added.
This ambition may position Helios to compete not only with immediate rivals but also with established players in the market, as the co-founder pointed out the significant growth potential in this sector.
“With competitors like Palantir reaching substantial market valuations, we believe there is ample opportunity for growth and innovation in this space,” Scheidler concluded.