Nooks is another AI-driven startup making waves in the world of sales technology, and it’s choosing to plant its roots right here in Seattle. Imagine this: a company born in San Francisco during the pandemic chaos, now growing from zero engineers to six in Seattle in just a short time. Their CTO and co-founder, Nikhil Cheerla, shared that they’re eyeing more talent in platform and product roles, even planning a full office space downtown. For now, they’ve been cozied up in Tola Capital’s Seattle hub, a bustling spot where innovation happens. Cheerla’s vision is clear—they’re after that unique Seattle engineering talent, folks who’ve built massive systems at big tech giants and are eager for a startup adventure. It’s like tapping into a hidden vein of gold in the city’s ecosystem, where experienced hands meet cutting-edge AI aspirations. Amid the buzz about talent flowing out of Washington to places like San Francisco, Nooks is betting big on Seattle’s staying power. It’s not just about the location; it’s about community and sustainability. We’ve seen other Bay Area companies, like Binti or even giants like OpenAI and xAI, eyeing Seattle too. So, why Seattle? It’s practical—affordable living, a slower pace that lets ideas breathe, and a workforce that’s weathered the tech storms of companies like Amazon and Microsoft. You can almost picture the engineers here, sipping coffee from local roasteries, discussing scalable architectures while staring at Puget Sound. This move feels personal, like Nooks is saying, “We’re not just building tools; we’re building a team here, where life and work blend into something meaningful.” As they ramp up, Nooks is creating jobs that’ll attract skilled professionals looking for impact without the frenzy. It’s a refreshing contrast to the rapid expansions we’ve seen elsewhere, proving Seattle isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a launchpad for the future of AI in sales.
When you think about Nooks’ journey, it all started back in 2020 smack in the middle of COVID lockdowns. Cheerla and his co-founders—picture a group of ambitious innovators in their home offices, cereal bowls repurposed as stands for laptops—launched a virtual classroom tool to help educators navigate remote learning. But as the world shifted, so did they. They pivoted to a virtual collaboration product, essentially becoming their own sales team in the process. Cheerla recalls those early days fondly, filled with trial and error. Selling their stuff door-to-door virtually felt like a comedy of errors—pitching Zoom calls that glitched, emails that got ignored. Yet, it was that hands-on grind that taught them the real pains of sales reps: the endless research, the repetitive emails, the voicemails that echo into nothingness. From this crucible emerged Nooks’ true calling—A I-powered productivity software tailored for sales teams. It’s not just software; it’s like hiring a super-efficient assistant who never sleeps. The goal? Cut out the mundane tasks so human judgment can shine in building relationships. Imagine a sales rep no longer buried in data entry but focusing on genuine conversations. This human element is crucial—AI handles the heavy lifting, but the heart of sales remains people connecting people. Cheerla, who’s probably spent countless nights refining this vision, sees it as more than a product. It’s a lifeline for reps overwhelmed by admin. And for founders, it’s a reminder: starting small, plunging into the field, and iterating based on real feedback—that’s how breakthroughs happen. Nooks’ story is relatable, a testament to adaptability in a tech world that changes faster than Seattle weather.
At its core, Nooks is all about revolutionizing sales with AI, turning those tedious processes into seamless workflows. Picture this: sales teams drowning in prospect research, crafting emails from scratch, dialing numbers like it’s a telemarketer’s nightmare, summarizing calls post-meeting, and figuring out the next move—often on a tight deadline. Nooks steps in like a trusted ally, automating these while empowering reps to steer the ship. Their ethos? Keep humans in control for that crucial intuition. It’s not a replacement; it’s an enhancement. We’ve seen similar trends in productivity tools, but Nooks adds a layer of intelligence. For instance, their system learns from team behaviors—what works in one email chain, the subtle nudges that land a deal. Over time, this creates a feedback loop where AI evolves based on real successes. Cheerla describes it as bridging data analysis with intelligent execution, a rare combo in a space cluttered with generic solutions. In essence, Nooks makes sales reps feel unburdened, almost superhero-like. One can imagine a manager at a bustling startup like HubSpot or Toast using this to free up time for strategy instead of slogging through calendars. It’s practical magic, transforming frustration into flow. And for users, it’s empowering—reps gain confidence knowing AI is their sidekick, handling the repetitive so they can focus on closing deals. This approach humanizes the tech, reminding us that even in AI’s age, the best innovations serve people, not just processes.
Competitively, Nooks is staking its ground in a lively market, rubbing shoulders with heavyweights like Seattle-based Outreach and the newly merged Highspot-Seismic juggernaut. Yet, Cheerla positions Nooks as the differentiator, offering something uniquely integrated. It’s not just another tool; it’s a cohesive workspace where data smarts meet action. Think of it as a complete ecosystem versus point solutions. Other firms might focus on piecemeal fixes, but Nooks weaves everything into a single, learning loop. This allows for organic growth—reps’ actions inform the AI, refining it perpetually. In a field where startups often promise the moon but deliver asteroids, Nooks emphasizes reliability through feedback. It’s like having a coach who learns from every play. Competitors might boast features, but Nooks shines in human-centered design, ensuring reps aren’t just users but co-creators of their tools. This strategy has resonated, attracting clients like Rippling and ZoomInfo, who value the blend of tech and teamwork. From a broader view, it’s thrilling to see Seattle as a battleground for these innovations, fostering homegrown creativity. Nooks isn’t just competing; it’s collaborating with the ecosystem, drawing from local tech legacies. And for users, this means more than efficiency—it means evolving with the tools, much like how Seattle’s coffee culture inspires daily rituals. It’s a reminder that competition drives excellence, and Nooks is poised to lead through empathy and innovation.
Just a few months back, Nooks secured $43 million in a Series B funding round, signaling confidence from investors like Tola Capital. Since then, they’ve exploded, cheering a 6X revenue growth and ballooning their team from 90 to 200 employees. It’s a classic startup success story, propelled by real demand. Customers include household names like Postman and Vanta, proving their products hit the mark. Sheila Gulati from Tola Capital praises Nooks for weaving AI directly into revenue streams, a bold evolution of sales methods. She’s excited about the Seattle expansion, seeing it as deepening connections in the local tech network. This growth isn’t happenstance—it’s fueled by that relentless focus on user pain points. You can visualize the hustle: engineers coding late into the night, founders poring over metrics, all while building something transformative. For the company, these milestones mean stability to innovate further. And for Seattle, it injects energy, creating jobs and inspiring new ventures. Nooks’ journey mirrors many in the region—starting scrappy, scaling smart. It’s human-scale ambition, turning data points into stories of triumph.
Looking ahead, Nooks is buzzing with momentum, launching the Agent Workspace this week—a collaborative hub where sales reps and AI work hand-in-hand. It’s like a digital arena for prospecting, sequencing emails, dialing calls, and LinkedIn outreach. The twist? It learns team best practices and scales them effortlessly. Beyond the product, Nooks and Tola are throwing a Seattle event on February 26th, spotlighting domain-specific AI agents. Speakers like Chinmay Barve (Nooks’ VP of engineering), Arm’s Sharbani Roy, and Pulumi’s Joe Duffy promise insights into real-world AI deployments. This event feels inclusive—part of the community dialogue on technology. As Nooks grows in Seattle, it’s not just expanding; it’s embedding itself in the fabric of the city’s tech scene. For locals, it opens doors to careers in AI, mentorship, and networking. Imagine attending the event, absorbing talks on cutting-edge agents, and feeling the pulse of innovation. Cheerla and team embody that pioneering spirit, proving that startups can thrive by betting on places like Seattle. It’s a human tale of resilience, creativity, and connection, reminding us that behind every algorithm is a story of people building futures together. In essence, Nooks isn’t just a company; it’s a movement, humanized by its roots in real experiences and its aspirations for a better sales world. This Seattle chapter is just beginning, filled with potential for groundbreaking work that echoes across industries. As AI shapes our daily grind, Nooks shows how it can enhance rather than eclipse humanity. The optimism is palpable—Seattle’s talent pool, Nooks’ vision, and events like this are weaving a richer tapestry for tech enthusiasts everywhere. It’s exciting to watch, and for aspiring innovators, it’s an invitation to join the conversation. In the end, Nooks’ expansion is a vote of confidence in places where people prioritize balance, buttressed by community. Let’s cheer them on as they redefine sales, one AI-assisted handshake at a time. The future feels collaborative, adaptive, and wonderfully human.
