Kernel provides crazy-fast, open-source browser infrastructure that lets AI agents use the internet like humans do. Its managed headful browsers deliver sub-150ms cold starts with built-in stealth capabilities, session persistence (cookies, auth), and observability tools including session recording and live viewing. The platform supports standard automation frameworks such as Playwright, Puppeteer, and CDP so agents can reliably navigate, persist context, and act across workflows. Founded in 2025 by repeat YC founders, Kernel was part of YC's Summer 2025 batch.
KERNEL
ActiveCrazy fast, open source infra for AI agents to use the Internet
Total raised
$22.5M
2 rounds
Stage
Series A
Oct 2025
Team
1-10
since 2025
Pricing
—
Founded
2025
San Francisco, United States
Agent-ready
—
Open-source browser infrastructure for AI agents
Managed headful (headful) cloud browsers
Sub-150ms browser cold starts
Built-in stealth capabilities to use the web like a human
Session persistence for cookies and authentication
Observability with session recording and live viewing
Support for Playwright, Puppeteer, and CDP automation frameworks
Reliable navigation and context persistence across workflows
12/100
Early
MCP server
Public API
Webhooks
OAuth 2.0
SDKs
No public agent surfaces detected yet.
Cumulative raise
From 2025 to 2026 · 2 rounds tracked
Total
$22.5M
Oct 2025 Series A $22M ● Accel
Jan 2025 Seed $500K ● Y Combinator
Capital network
$22.5M raised ·6 backers·10 network links
- Backers6
- Shared portfoliocompanies these backers also fund
- Extended networkfunds that co-invest alongside them
VAST Data
Unifying software layer for AI infrastructure
AI Developer ToolsAI Infrastructure
Upscale AI
Pure-play AI networking infrastructure
AI Developer ToolsAI Infrastructure
Dash0
AI-native observability platform built on OpenTelemetry
AI InfrastructureAI Data Engineering
Noma Security
End-to-end security for agentic AI
AI InfrastructureAI for Cyber Defense
VoltaGrid
VoltaGrid provides hybrid power solutions that reduce emissions, optimize energy loads, and lower costs for industrial applications and data centers.
AI InfrastructureAI Energy
Vespa.ai
Big-data serving engine for vector and lexical search
AI SearchAI Infrastructure
- What is Kernel?
- Kernel provides open-source browser infrastructure that lets AI agents reliably use the internet, offering managed cloud browsers with sub-150ms cold starts, stealth, and session persistence.
- Which automation frameworks does it support?
- It supports standard frameworks including Playwright, Puppeteer, and the Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP).
- How does it handle authentication and state?
- It offers session persistence for cookies and auth so agents can maintain context and act across multi-step workflows.
- What observability does it provide?
- Kernel includes observability tools such as session recording and live viewing to monitor and debug agent browsing.
Discussion
Sign in to join the discussion.
Sign inExplore more around KERNEL
Contextual paths to related AI startups, deals and rankings.