Unthread to Showcase Slack Cleanup Tech at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

The Genesis of Unthread: From Slack Chaos to AI-Powered Solutions

The story of many successful startups begins with the identification of a significant problem, and for Unthread, this origin can be traced back to a problematic exchange within Slack. CEO and co-founder Tom Bachant recalls observing the disorganization inherent in Slack-based support systems – the inconsistent ticketing processes, the cluttered direct messages, and the limited ability to gain meaningful insights into recurring issues.

Bachant remembers the initial observation as recognizing Slack’s potential for becoming unmanageable without proper tracking. He further noted that a substantial amount of the requests originating within these teams were suitable for automation.

Introducing Unthread: AI-Driven Support for Modern Businesses

From this realization, Unthread was born. The company specializes in developing AI-powered support bots designed to function natively within Slack, catering to prominent clients such as Intuit, Lemonade, and Automattic. The primary objective is to resolve a considerable number of issues through automated processes and efficiently route the remaining concerns to dedicated support tickets.

However, Unthread transcends the role of a mere custom Slackbot builder. Bachant and his team believe they have pioneered a novel approach to identifying and addressing the obstacles hindering company progress – and proactively resolving them before they escalate.

Unthread was recognized as a Top 20 finalist in the Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.

Beyond Ticketing: Versatility and Automation

The system can integrate with established ticketing platforms like Jira and Zendesk when necessary. Frequently, however, Unthread offers a replacement for these systems. The adaptability of the AI-based model allows Unthread to construct effective systems for departments including HR, legal, and finance.

Once implemented and actively monitoring reported issues from various sources, the team can initiate the automation of additional tasks, ultimately establishing a continuously updated knowledge base accessible throughout the organization.

The Role of AI and Core Problem Solving

Contemporary AI tools play a crucial role in this process, forming the foundation of Unthread’s technology stack and enabling the handling of a diverse range of problems at scale. However, a fundamental aspect of Unthread’s value lies in the basic organization provided by a ticketing system, applied to contemporary enterprise communication platforms.

“Large Language Models have altered how our product is utilized,” Bachant stated, “but the core problem we address remains unchanged.”

From Ride-Sharing to AI-Powered Support

Bachant’s entrepreneurial journey has been extensive. His initial venture, founded immediately following his college graduation, was Dashride, a ride-sharing service designed to provide safe transportation for college students. Following the acquisition of Dashride by Cruise in 2018, he launched an HR startup that ultimately proved unsuccessful before focusing on the challenges of Slack-based support.

Currently, he leads a focused team of 10 individuals in New York, dedicated to expanding Unthread’s capabilities and serving its clientele.

Customer Focus: The Key to Longevity

Bachant emphasizes that sustained success is rooted in a deep understanding of the product’s users. “Our ability to achieve this is directly linked to the numerous conversations we’ve had with our customers,” Bachant explains. “A clear understanding of the customer’s needs, their reasons for valuing the product, and potential reasons for switching to alternatives has been instrumental in our decision-making process.”

For those interested in learning more about Unthread – alongside exploring numerous other startups, hearing their presentations, and attending talks by guest speakers across four stages – join us at Disrupt, October 27 to 29 in San Francisco. Further details can be found here.