This UVA alumni duo is changing how brands show up in AI
This UVA alumni duo is changing how brands show up in AI
https://news.virginia.edu/content/uva-alumni-duo-changing-how-brands-show-ai
Publish Date: 2026-05-22 10:24:00
Source Domain: news.virginia.edu
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Jordan Durst and Bryan Pollard, former college roommates from the University of Virginia, founded Tallee, an AI visibility tool helping major brands improve their visibility in AI tools like ChatGPT.
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Tallee’s notable clients include Lowe’s Home Improvement, Celsius, and Calm.
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Tallee’s lead investor is Village Global, backed by high-profile tech entrepreneurs including Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos.
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Other investors in Tallee include Andreessen Horowitz’s Scout Fund, Cav Angels, and NBA players Ty Jerome and Anthony Gill.
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Durst followed a more traditional business path, landing an internship at Goldman Sachs, while Pollard chose a sociology major and focused on his internship at ICM Partners.
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Pollard developed an AI concierge called AskAlex early on, which formed the basis for Tallee.
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The initial success of AskAlex prompted Pollard to seek Durst’s help, and together they pivoted to create Tallee, aimed at providing brands with insights and improvements regarding their appearances in AI platforms.
