General Catalyst-backed Strawberry launches AI agent as "European alternative

General Catalyst-backed Strawberry has released its first full product, an AI agent platform positioned as a European alternative to US-developed agents.

The product, which the company refers to as Strawberry Browser, appears designed to handle complex tasks while addressing concerns about data handling. Founder Charles Maddock told Sifted the startup is targeting enterprise customers who may prioritize regional compliance and transparency. Maddock, who previously worked at Lovable and Legora, described the product as avoiding the "black-box" nature of some AI systems, though specifics about its technical approach remain limited.

General Catalyst’s involvement was partly influenced by Legora’s co-founder Max Junestrand, who introduced Maddock to the firm. The round also included participation from Dots, a startup founded by Anton Osika, and other unnamed investors. Maddock indicated the capital would be used to expand the team and refine the agent’s capabilities, particularly in sectors like legal and finance where data handling is a key consideration.

Strawberry’s launch comes as European startups explore ways to differentiate themselves in the AI space. While US companies dominate the market for large language models, some European startups are focusing on applications that align with regional priorities. For example, when we covered 1Password’s agent login platform last month, the company highlighted its approach to secure access—a theme that resonates with enterprises in regulated industries.

The company’s ambitions may extend beyond Europe. Maddock suggested Strawberry could eventually expand into other markets, though he acknowledged the challenges of competing with well-funded competitors. "We’re not trying to build a bigger model," he said. "We’re trying to build a smarter agent." He also hinted at potential future integrations with AI models from other regions but did not provide details.

Strawberry’s launch arrives amid growing interest in AI agents. Last month, Manus unveiled Cascade, a new architecture for AI agents, while Band released a desktop app for managing multiple coding agents. Unlike some competitors, Strawberry appears to be positioning itself for industries where compliance and transparency are priorities. The startup’s ability to scale its agent’s capabilities while meeting enterprise needs remains an open question.

Maddock acknowledged that early versions of the product are "not perfect," but he argued that the market for AI agents is still evolving. "If you’re waiting for the perfect agent, you’ll be waiting forever," he told Sifted. For now, Strawberry’s bet seems to be that some customers will prioritize regional alignment and transparency over other factors.

Sources: sifted.eu