The Challenge of Information Overload in the Digital Age

In today’s interconnected world, a vast amount of information is readily accessible with just a few clicks. However, this abundance of data can paradoxically become overwhelming, making it difficult to quickly retrieve specific information when needed.

While web browsers offer unparalleled access to knowledge, navigating multiple tabs and windows can often be a frustrating and inefficient experience.

Introducing Sidekick Browser: A Work OS

Sidekick Browser aims to address this problem by introducing a productivity-focused layer built on top of the Chromium engine. It positions itself as a “work OS” designed to streamline the workflow for knowledge workers.

Tackling Tab Chaos

Instead of scattering work across numerous browser windows and tabs, Sidekick allows users to operate directly within applications housed within the browser itself.

Popular communication apps like Slack, Skype, and WhatsApp can be pinned to a vertical sidebar for easy access and switching. Sidekick also supports multiple logins, offers granular notification controls, and provides a unified search function across integrated third-party applications – currently numbering in the “hundreds” – with the ability for users to add custom links functioning as bookmarks.

Session Management for Focused Work

For users prone to internet browsing rabbit holes, Sidekick’s Sessions feature enables saving groups of tabs as organized bundles. These can be easily reopened and revisited later.

The integrated search extends to these saved Sessions, eliminating the need to manually scroll through browser history to locate previously viewed information.

Optimizing Performance and Collaboration

Sidekick addresses browser performance issues with an “AI-based tab suspension” feature. This intelligently predicts which tabs are unlikely to be used and removes them from memory, improving RAM usage compared to standard browsers like Google Chrome.

“Sidekick is the fastest browser built especially for work,” emphasizes the company’s core value proposition.

Team-Focused Features

Collaboration is a key aspect of Sidekick, offering features designed to enhance team productivity. These include team role provisioning, customizable workspaces tailored to specific projects or clients, and remote configuration tools for device security.

A built-in password manager facilitates secure password sharing within teams, and an embedded video chat platform enables seamless communication directly within the browser workspace.

Privacy and Security Enhancements

Sidekick incorporates an ad blocker and anti-fingerprinting technology to enhance user privacy and improve page load times.

The startup publicly commits to protecting user data, stating, “we’ll never sell your data,” including searches, browsing history, and personal information.

Business Model and Funding

Currently operating on a SaaS and B2C model, Sidekick has plans to expand into the B2B market with a pipeline of business-focused features.

The browser supports Chrome extensions, ensuring compatibility with existing workflows.

Sidekick recently announced $2 million in seed funding led by KPCB, alongside investments from Remote First Capital and angel investors.

The Founder’s Vision

Founder Dmitry Pushkarev brings a proven track record of success, having previously founded DNA sequencing company Moleculo (acquired by Illumina) and cloud computing optimization firm ClusterK (acquired by Amazon).

The idea for Sidekick originated during his time as an entrepreneur in residence at Kleiner Perkins, where he investigated the future of work.

Early Reception and Future Outlook

Sidekick gained early recognition on Product Hunt, receiving praise from Chris Messina for its innovative approach to enhancing productivity for modern knowledge workers.

Pushkarev clarified that Sidekick is not intended to compete with traditional browsers but rather to improve the browsing experience specifically for work-related tasks.

“We do not intend to compete with browsers… Our goal is improve the browsing experience for work and productivity,” he stated.

Current Usage and User Base

The San Francisco-based startup is currently used by teams at companies such as Microsoft, Dropbox, Slack, and Lyft. As of a few months after its November 2020 launch, Sidekick boasts approximately 30,000 users.

The team is currently focused on product development, prioritizing activation, retention, and virality.

“The typical user is a knowledge worker – product managers, engineers, marketers, a fair number of students…prosumers who don’t just browse online, but do productive work,” explains Pushkarev.

The Genesis of Sidekick’s Concept

Pushkarev observed that knowledge workers spend a significant portion of their time working within browsers, a tool originally designed for browsing. He identified key differences between browsing and working, noting that work involves frequent use of web applications, documents, communication tools, and multiple accounts.

He argues that existing browser companies are disincentivized from optimizing for work due to their reliance on search revenue.

“We thought that it’s an unprecedented situation, where 200M professionals don’t have access to professional tools,” he says.

Target User and Differentiation

Sidekick is designed for users engaged in online work involving web applications, documents, communication apps, and multiple accounts. It’s best suited for “prosumers” and may not be the ideal choice for casual browsing.

While browsers offer some convenience features, Pushkarev believes Sidekick can deliver a superior work environment due to its focused approach and business model.

“Extending other browsers is not a viable path here,” he asserts, emphasizing the need for deep integration and optimization.

Deep Integration and Unique Features

Sidekick’s support for “hundreds” of third-party apps enables features like badge and notification display, search integration, multiple account support, and helpful extensions.

The upcoming New Tab Page, launching later this month, will display organized documents with human-readable titles and instant search capabilities.

Monetization Strategy

Pushkarev is confident in the viability of a SaaS business model, arguing that Sidekick provides significant time savings for knowledge workers.

The company is also developing a B2B offering, positioning Sidekick as a company-provisioned remote workstation with remote configuration and security features.

Sidekick plans to launch its first B2C monetization efforts in March with a subscription model.