# Relay Raises $36 Million for AI Radio Assistant

> Relay’s AI radio system gets $36m funding to help frontline workers without changing their routines.
- Title: Relay Raises $36 Million for AI Radio Assistant · Pymnts
- Summary: Relay’s AI radio system gets $36m funding to help frontline workers without changing their routines. Relay raised $36 million to turn frontline radios into…
- Keywords: relay, frontline workers, radio, international paper, chris chuang, nfl, enterprise software, real-time communication, cloud communications, ai assistant, hospitality, Raises
- Source: Pymnts — https://pymnts.com/technology/2026/relay-raises-36-million-to-turn-the-frontline-radio-into-an-ai-assistant
- Author: PYMNTS
- Published: 2026-09-30T13:00:35+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: relay, ai, frontline workers, radio, international paper, chris chuang, nfl, enterprise software, real-time communication, cloud communications, ai assistant, hospitality
## Relay’s AI Radio System
Relay’s AI system turns frontline workers’ radios into assistants that process spoken communication without changing their routines.
## New $36 Million Funding Round
Relay raised $36 million in new funding led by International Paper, bringing total capital to over $90 million.
## The Button Remains
Relay’s design keeps the single button unchanged, letting workers reach others without learning new skills.
## How It Works
Behind the button, Relay transcribes, translates, routes messages, logs actions, and triggers automated workflows.
## Why Frontline Workers Need It
80% of the world’s workforce doesn’t sit behind a desk, making Relay’s design ideal for them.
## The Problem It Solves
Most enterprise systems require typing, which frontline workers can’t do safely or effectively.
## Relay’s Research Findings
57% of manufacturing professionals say their most important operational communication happens out loud.
## International Paper’s Experience
International Paper, a Fortune 500 company, uses Relay in its mills and sees improved communications and safety.
## Relay’s Customer Base
Relay serves hundreds of thousands of frontline workers and works with 10% of the Fortune 500 companies.
## Relay’s Performance Metrics
Relay has 99% gross revenue retention and 130% net revenue retention among enterprise customers.
## What’s Next for Relay
Relay plans to expand into industrial and hospitality markets and improve its AI platform for frontline workers.
## The Handie-Talkie Legacy
Relay’s design follows the original handie-talkie’s simplicity, which has remained unchanged for 86 years.
## Key takeaway

Relay raised $36 million to turn frontline radios into AI assistants that process spoken communication without altering worker routines.