TLDR: Former Google Search engineer Andrew Yan, alongside co-founder Alan Yao, has launched Athena, a generative engine optimization (GEO) platform designed to help brands secure top placement and optimize their visibility in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-powered search results and chatbot responses.
In a significant move reflecting the seismic shift in how users discover information online, Andrew Yan, a former Google Search engineer, has co-founded Athena, a new startup aimed at revolutionizing brand visibility in the age of artificial intelligence. Launched from stealth with $2.2 million in seed funding, Athena addresses the growing challenge faced by marketers as AI tools increasingly replace traditional search links with direct, ‘zero-click’ answers.
Yan, who previously worked on Google’s information acquisition team, brings a deep understanding of the search industry’s technical and commercial aspects. He is joined by co-founder Alan Yao, an AI engineer with experience building AI products at ServiceNow and on OpenAI’s platform since 2020. Their combined expertise underpins Athena’s mission to help brands optimize their presence in AI-generated responses from platforms like ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overviews, and Perplexity.
The core problem Athena tackles is the ‘Great Decoupling,’ where impressions for brands may remain high, but clicks to their websites decline as AI provides direct answers. This shift poses an existential threat to businesses reliant on traditional SEO. Athena’s platform is designed to counter this by showing how different AI models interpret and describe a brand. It continuously tracks how chatbots discuss companies across various platforms and recommends precise website configuration changes or content optimizations—across text, image, or video—to rank higher in AI-search results.
To achieve this, Athena has built a comprehensive catalog of over 3 million real-world AI responses, which it continuously maps to more than 300,000 unique sites cited by Large Language Models (LLMs). This proprietary analysis allows Athena to provide actionable insights for what it terms ‘Generative Engine Optimization’ (GEO).
The company has already garnered significant traction, boasting over 100 customers, including notable names like Paperless Post, Coupons.com, Checkr, Artisan, and Ollie. Early adopters have reported measurable successes, with one client, AutoRFP.ai, crediting Athena for influencing 30% of its leads, leading to up to 10x AI-driven traffic boosts.
The $2.2 million in seed funding was led by Y Combinator, FCVC, Red Bike Capital, and Amino Capital, with participation from top SEO and search executives, including Eli Schwartz. Schwartz, a leading SEO advisor and angel investor in Athena, commented on the market shift, stating, ‘AI is driving a seismic shift in how people find information. Over the next decade, AI search will unlock billions in B2B and consumer spending, and Athena’s platform gives brands the precision and speed they need to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity.’
The emergence of platforms like Athena signifies a broader industry transformation. Cyrus Shepard, founder of Zyppy SEO, noted that AI visibility, which was negligible at the start of 2025, now accounts for 10-15% of his workload, with expectations to reach half by year-end. This underscores the urgency for brands to adapt to a future where AI interfaces are the primary gatekeepers of information.
Also Read:
- Wix Unveils AI Visibility Overview to Revolutionize Brand Presence in Generative AI Search
- Perplexity AI Secures $100 Million in Extended Funding, Valuation Reaches $18 Billion Amidst AI Boom
Athena’s launch marks a pivotal moment in the digital marketing landscape, offering a specialized solution for brands to navigate and thrive in the increasingly AI-driven internet.
