A Montreal-based startup, Deck, is reshaping how users interact with their online data by creating an infrastructure that allows secure and user-permissioned access to information from any website. Having secured $12 million in Series A funding led by Infinity Ventures, Deck continues its mission to simplify data extraction across non-API platforms such as utility portals, e-commerce sites, payroll systems, and government services. The founders, who previously sold Flinks—a company known as "the Plaid for Canada"—to the National Bank of Canada for $140 million, bring extensive experience in financial data integration. Their new venture focuses on solving fragmented and inaccessible data problems across industries.
Deck's technology leverages AI agents to log into websites, navigate them, and extract data efficiently. This process eliminates manual work and provides developers with structured data that can be reused without continuous AI intervention. By focusing initially on utility companies and expanding into other sectors, Deck aims to become a universal bridge for data retrieval. With rapid growth in developer adoption and partnerships globally, the company is poised to transform how businesses and consumers manage their digital assets.
Building a Seamless Data Infrastructure
Deck addresses the challenge of accessing locked-away data by developing a system that treats the internet as an open platform. Through browser-based automation, it unlocks valuable information trapped behind login credentials and session-based portals. Users grant explicit permission for their data to be accessed securely, making it easier for developers to integrate this information into various applications. The company’s innovative approach contrasts sharply with competitors like Arcadia, offering more flexibility and reliability.
The core functionality of Deck involves AI-driven agents that mimic human actions to retrieve data from websites lacking APIs. These agents handle authentication, normalization, rate limiting, and consent management seamlessly. Once connected, they generate reusable scripts ensuring ongoing access without requiring constant AI oversight. For instance, if a business needs to verify customer identities or automate reporting processes, Deck simplifies these tasks significantly. Founders Yves-Gabriel Leboeuf, Frederick Lavoie, and Bruno Lambert emphasize the importance of adhering to international open data trends while navigating potential legal gray areas concerning terms of service violations. They employ advanced techniques, including vision computing and human-like mouse movements, to bypass antibot protections effectively.
Scaling Rapidly with Strategic Partnerships
Since its inception in January 2024, Deck has achieved remarkable milestones, connecting over 100,000 utility providers across multiple continents and securing prominent clients like EnergyCAP, Quadient, and Greenly. Its modular platform design enables scalability through reusable recipes tailored to specific industries. As demand grows, so does the number of developers utilizing Deck's infrastructure, with connections increasing by 120% in February alone compared to the previous month. Performance-driven pricing ensures clients only pay for successful API calls, enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
With plans to introduce a data vertical creator tool soon, Deck anticipates further accelerating development cycles for integrating diverse datasets. This feature will empower any developer to quickly establish connections within any industry, regardless of existing technological barriers. Backed by seasoned investors such as Jeremy Jonker from Infinity Ventures, who recognizes Deck's transformative potential akin to open banking initiatives, the company continues expanding its workforce and capabilities. Operating under strict dual-consent policies, Deck prioritizes ethical considerations surrounding data usage, ensuring both end-user and client approval before leveraging collected information. Such strategic decisions position Deck as a leader in revolutionizing global data accessibility standards.
