Introduction: Revolutionizing Public Policy with AI
In an era where artificial intelligence is transforming industries at breakneck speed, Helios is setting its sights on a high-stakes arena: public policy. Founded by national security veterans Joe Scheidler and Joseph Farsakh, the startup is on a mission to build an AI-native operating system tailored for policy, legal, and compliance professionals. With $4 million in fresh seed funding and a product still in beta, Helios is already catching the attention of major players in both government and industry.
A Founding Team with Deep Policy and Technical Roots
Scheidler and Farsakh bring firsthand experience from the White House and the U.S. State Department, where they dealt with complex cybersecurity issues and international diplomacy. Their shared frustration with the fragmented, outdated tools used in policy work sparked the idea for Helios — a smarter, AI-powered way to manage policy workflows.
To bring the vision to life, they recruited Brandon Smith, a machine learning expert with stints at Microsoft and Datadog, to lead the technical side of the operation. Together, the trio combined deep domain knowledge, technical expertise, and strategic connections to tackle the complexity of public-sector work.
Proxi: The AI-Powered Brain Behind Helios
At the core of Helios is Proxi, the startup’s flagship product, designed as a multi-agent AI system for public policy teams. Though still in beta, Proxi is already being tested by workers in federal, state, and local agencies, as well as Fortune 500 companies and startups.
Proxi currently includes four major features:
- Consult – A conversational AI agent that monitors regulatory changes and legislative updates, acting as a 24/7 public policy assistant.
- Scribe – A collaborative AI writing tool that transforms brainstorming sessions into formal memos, filings, and policy papers.
- Decipher – A data analysis engine capable of breaking down dense legislative documents into structured, actionable insights.
- Stakeholder CRM – A visual mapping and relationship management system that tracks key players, interactions, and policy influence networks.
Each tool is connected, creating an integrated platform that brings automation, clarity, and speed to often sluggish policy workflows.
A Security-First Approach for Sensitive Work
Given the sensitive nature of government and policy data, Helios emphasizes strong encryption and compliance. The company is currently undergoing audits to meet federal standards and assures early users that data privacy and security are top priorities.
Backed by Visionary Investors
Helios recently emerged from stealth mode with $4 million in seed funding led by Unusual Ventures, with support from Founders Inc. and Alumni Ventures. Rather than chasing quick revenue, the company is focused on refining its product through feedback from early adopters, building a foundation for long-term trust and scalability.
Taking on Industry Giants
While Helios operates in the shadow of legacy giants like Palantir, OpenGov, and FiscalNote, the founders see these incumbents as slow-moving targets. Their goal? To become the default operating system for public-private policy collaboration — a niche still largely underserved by existing tech platforms.
“There’s a huge opportunity here, and we’re just getting started,” said Scheidler. “In five to seven years, we want Helios to be the first name that comes to mind when someone thinks of public policy infrastructure.”
Conclusion: Building the Future of Public Policy Tech
Helios is more than just another AI startup. With its domain-specific approach and deep understanding of governmental processes, it is positioning itself as the go-to solution for public policy professionals seeking clarity, speed, and precision. By fusing AI with public sector expertise, Helios is poised to redefine how critical decisions are made in government and regulated industries — not just in the U.S., but potentially worldwide.
