A startup is leveraging artificial intelligence to illuminate the often opaque workings of local government. Founded by Sunil Rajaraman, Hamlet processes thousands of hours of city council meeting videos, transforming them into searchable intelligence for both businesses and the public. While the company initially targeted enterprise clients, it recently broadened its mission, launching Hamlet TV, a free streaming channel aimed at helping everyday citizens grasp the vital decisions occurring in their communities.
The inspiration behind Hamlet stemmed from Rajaraman’s personal experience during his unsuccessful bid for city council in 2022. He discovered the challenges of tracking government decisions, finding that recorded meeting videos were far more informative than standard minutes. “The video doesn’t lie,” he stated, highlighting the accuracy and reliability of visual records. By employing AI to transcribe, analyze, and summarize these lengthy recordings, Hamlet quickly attracted interest from real estate developers and political organizations needing to monitor governance across various cities. The platform notifies clients about relevant agenda items and synthesizes outcomes efficiently.
Hamlet TV seeks to enhance civic engagement through curated content, streaming on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Apple TV. The channel features key moments from meetings nationwide, often infused with humor to attract attention to the typically dry procedural world. Rajaraman noted that while some meetings last over 15 hours, showcasing the “funny stuff” can make civic issues more relatable. For instance, one notable clip featured a resident dressed as a cockroach addressing a pest control issue. Rajaraman emphasizes the significance of these often-invisible meetings, citing Tucson’s decision to reject a major Amazon data center as a critical example of community impact.
The establishment of Hamlet TV represents a significant move toward making local government more accessible and understandable. By transforming passive video archives into active civic engagement tools, the company aims to strengthen the democratic process through transparency. “Democracy works better when people are watching,” Rajaraman asserts, underlining the importance of public awareness in local governance.
Hamlet has successfully secured approximately $10 million in venture capital funding, with investments from notable backers including Slow Ventures, Crosslink Capital, and Kapor Capital. The startup’s primary clientele includes real estate developers, political action committees, and advocacy groups, which rely on Hamlet’s services to efficiently track agendas and outcomes across multiple municipalities.
Looking ahead, Rajaraman envisions Hamlet evolving into the “Bloomberg” of local government intelligence, aspiring to provide its tools free of charge to local journalists, further enhancing reporting capabilities. As the startup expands its reach, it aims to democratize access to government information, fostering a culture of engagement and accountability. With the launch of Hamlet TV, the company not only enhances its mission but also positions itself at the forefront of a growing movement to transform how citizens interact with their local governments.
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