Despite all the money being poured into artificial intelligence, here’s a strange truth: Most workers still don’t know how to use artificial intelligence.
A company purchased software. They have rolled out co-pilots, chatbots, and new systems with big promises. But within many offices, AI is like an expensive treadmill sitting in the corner of the room gathering dust. It’s convenient in theory and hardly changes your daily habits.
The gap between buying AI and actually using it at scale is where Certifyde finds its footing.
The company, which just announced a $2 million seed round, is focused on helping employees incorporate AI into the way they already work. Its Productivity Companion browser extension layers on top of the tools companies already use (from Salesforce to Google to Slack) to provide role-specific AI guidance during employees’ workdays, helping them build habits rather than forcing major system changes.
The idea caught the attention of investors ranging from K5 Global and Flamingo Capital to George Ruan (Honey co-founder) and Ripple Labs’ Brad Garlinghouse, as well as tennis titan Taylor Fritz and electro legends Diplo and Kygo.
“Honey has helped millions of people save money on purchases,” Luan said in a statement. “Certifyde brings intelligence within the same workflow to the modern workforce, training thousands of healthcare professionals in real-time and ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for millions of lives.”
Certifyde CEO Skylar Hauswirth positions the company from a similarly human perspective.
“Unlike other workplace tools, Certifyde’s goal is not to replace people, but to empower them. By embedding AI implementation into the actual work flow, we are giving individuals and teams the skills to focus on problem-solving, creativity, and impact,” he commented.
That framework is important. Much of AI has been sold by the fear of automating or falling behind. Certifyde sells fluency.
Hauswirth’s own background also makes Certifyde an unusual Miami startup story. Before launching her company in 2023, she built her career across hospitality, brand partnerships, and consumer experience, including founding Miami Beach wellness brand MAHAM Yoga Studio and model volleyball tournaments. The combination of community building and experience design may help explain Certifyde’s core bet that getting employees to adopt AI is as much a human challenge as it is a technical challenge.
Hauswirth co-founded the company with New York-based CTO Mike Kelley.
Certifyde has already gained traction and expanded to approved provider status with the New York City Department of Transportation, biomedical research laboratories across the country, and the national multi-state licensing system.
The next stage of AI may not belong to those who build the smartest models. It could be someone who helps ordinary workers integrate AI into their daily routines seamlessly, naturally, and at scale.
Pictured above: Certifyde co-founder Mike Kelly (left), CTO. CEO Skyler Hauswirth.
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I’m a Miami-based technology researcher and writer with a passion for sharing stories about South Florida’s tech ecosystem. I especially enjoy learning about GovTech startups, cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence, and innovators who are leveraging technology to transform society for the better. Pitches are always welcome via Twitter @rileywk or www.RileyKminer.com.
