AI Calendar Hack: Ex-Sequoia Partner's Startup Saves You Time

In today’s fast-paced world, time is arguably our most valuable asset. We’re constantly bombarded with meetings, emails, and tasks, leaving little room for focused work and personal life. Kais Khimji, a former partner at the prestigious venture capital firm Sequoia Capital, understands this struggle intimately. Having spent six years investing in groundbreaking companies, he’s now turned his attention to solving a universal problem: the endless back-and-forth of scheduling. His solution? Blockit, an AI-powered calendar scheduling company poised to disrupt the $3 billion calendaring market. Backed by a $5 million seed round led by none other than Sequoia, Blockit promises to reclaim your time and streamline your schedule like never before.

From Venture Capitalist to Startup Founder: The Genesis of Blockit

Khimji’s journey from venture investor to startup founder mirrors that of other successful Sequoia alumni, like David Velez, the founder of Nubank. While excelling in the VC world, Khimji harbored a long-held ambition to build something of his own. The initial idea for Blockit sparked during his time as a student at Harvard roughly a decade ago. However, the technology wasn’t quite ready. Now, with the advancements in Large Language Models (LLMs), Khimji believes the time is right to bring his vision to life.

“Blockit has a chance to become a $1Bn+ revenue business, and Kais will make sure it gets there,” declared Pat Grady, Sequoia’s general partner and co-steward, in a blog post highlighting the firm’s confidence in Khimji and his team. This strong endorsement underscores the potential impact Blockit could have on productivity and time management.

The Problem with Traditional Scheduling & Why Blockit is Different

Numerous startups have attempted to automate scheduling in the past, but many fell short. Companies like Clara Labs and x.ai (eventually acquired by Elon Musk’s xAI) ultimately failed to gain significant traction. Khimji believes Blockit’s advantage lies in its sophisticated AI agents, capable of handling scheduling with a level of nuance and efficiency previously unattainable.

The key differentiator between Blockit and the current market leader, Calendly, is its approach to the scheduling process. Calendly relies on users sharing links to display their availability. Blockit, however, aims to completely automate the process, eliminating the need for link sharing and the associated back-and-forth communication. It’s a bold bet, but one that could significantly simplify the way we manage our time.

Building an AI Social Network for Your Time

Khimji, alongside co-founder John Hahn (a veteran of calendar product development at Timeful, Google Calendar, and Clockwise), is building what he describes as an “AI social network for people’s time.” The core concept revolves around the disconnect between individual calendars.

“It always felt very odd. I have a time database—my calendar. You have a time database—your calendar, and our databases just can’t talk to each other,” Khimji explained to GearTech. Blockit aims to bridge this gap, allowing AI agents to communicate directly and negotiate meeting times on behalf of their users.

How Blockit Works: Seamless AI-Powered Scheduling

Blockit’s functionality is remarkably straightforward. Users can initiate a meeting request by simply copying the Blockit agent on an email or messaging it through Slack. The AI agent then takes over, handling all the logistical details – proposing times, checking availability, and finding a mutually convenient solution. This eliminates the tedious and time-consuming process of manual scheduling.

The system is designed to function as a virtual executive assistant, learning user preferences and adapting to their individual needs. Users can specify which meetings are non-negotiable and which can be adjusted based on their daily priorities. For example, the agent can be instructed to prioritize work around existing commitments, even if it means skipping lunch.

Prioritizing Meetings Based on Context

Blockit’s AI isn’t just about finding available slots; it’s about understanding the context of each meeting request. The system can even be trained to prioritize meetings based on the tone of the communication. A formal request ending with “Best regards” might be given precedence over a casual message concluding with “Cheers.” This level of nuance demonstrates the power of LLMs in understanding and responding to human communication.

The Rise of Context Graphs and the Future of AI Agents

Blockit’s approach aligns with a growing trend in the AI space, as highlighted by Jaya Gupta and Ashu Garg of Foundation Capital. In a widely circulated essay, they discuss the potential of “context graphs” – AI agents that capture the “why” behind business decisions by understanding the underlying logic that drives human behavior. Blockit is essentially building a context graph for your time, learning your preferences and anticipating your needs.

Early Adoption and Pricing

Blockit is already gaining traction, with over 200 companies currently utilizing the platform. Notable users include AI startup Together.ai, fintech company Brex, robotics firm Rogo, and prominent venture capital firms like a16z, Accel, and Index. This early adoption demonstrates the value proposition of Blockit and its potential to become an essential tool for professionals across various industries.

The app is currently available for a 30-day free trial. Following the trial period, individual users can subscribe for $1,000 annually, while team licenses with support for multiple users are priced at $5,000 per year.

The Competitive Landscape & Future Outlook

While Calendly currently dominates the scheduling market, Blockit’s AI-driven approach presents a compelling alternative. Other players in the space include Doodle, Chili Piper, and Microsoft Bookings. However, none offer the same level of automation and contextual understanding as Blockit.

The future of scheduling is undoubtedly intertwined with AI. As LLMs continue to evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated AI agents capable of managing our time with increasing efficiency and intelligence. Blockit is at the forefront of this revolution, offering a glimpse into a future where scheduling is no longer a burden, but a seamless and automated process. The company’s strong backing from Sequoia and its innovative approach position it for significant growth and success in the years to come. The AI Calendar Hack offered by Blockit isn’t just about saving time; it’s about reclaiming control of your most valuable resource.

• Key Takeaway: Blockit leverages AI to automate the entire scheduling process, eliminating back-and-forth emails and streamlining time management.
• Target Audience: Professionals, executives, and teams seeking to improve productivity and reclaim valuable time.
• Competitive Advantage: AI-powered automation, contextual understanding, and seamless integration with existing communication tools.