Berlin- and New York-based startup Deta has launched Surf, a new AI-powered browser and knowledge management tool now available in beta. The app blends the functionality of an AI browser with features similar to Google’s NotebookLM, enabling users to research, summarize, and organize information seamlessly.
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Surf allows users to create notebooks on specific topics, generate AI summaries, and edit reports in a Notion-style interface. Because the app is built as a browser, users can open URLs, surf the web, and extract insights from web pages, PDFs, and YouTube videos. Multiple tabs can be referenced by the AI chatbot for contextual questions, and the tool can also generate code for mini apps, interactive graphs, and charts, all of which can be stored in user notebooks.
While other AI browsers like Perplexity’s Comet, The Browser Company’s Dia, and Opera Neon allow contextual tab use, Deta Surf distinguishes itself with deeper knowledge management and offline functionality. “We realized AI browsers are landing in the spot where they are fundamentally becoming tools for machines to click around and navigate hypertext meant for humans,” said co-founder Max Eusterbrock. He added that Surf’s editable notebooks give it an edge over more static AI tools.
Deta sees Google’s NotebookLM as a direct competitor, particularly for students and researchers, since Surf provides tab context and keeps data stored locally. The startup is also building new features, including image generation, and plans to roll out a premium subscription model with cloud backup, collaboration tools, and multi-device access.
Founded in 2019, Deta initially pursued a new operating system concept before pivoting to AI browsers in 2023. The company raised $3.6 million in a seed round that year, led by Crane Venture Partners with participation from System.One, Tomahawk.VC, Tiny.VC, Acequia Capital, Angel Invest, and NPHard. It has since secured an additional $500,000 from existing and new investors.
