Data Stewardship Solutions for an Ethical Internet Future

MERC Funding | TAP assistance for SBIR (Technical Assistance Program for Small Business Innovation Research) | Business Innovation Funding

Oak AI is revolutionizing how people navigate our complex digital world with their ethical approach to technology. Founded by Thomas Law in 2023 with a mission to build a more trustworthy internet for everyone, the Portland-based startup has rapidly grown from concept to serving thousands of users with their Oak platform. Their innovative data stewardship solutions help individuals and organizations make confident, values-aligned decisions online by bringing ethical considerations to the forefront of digital interactions.

Their flagship product, vibeCheck Search, functions as an intuitive guide to how websites manage user data. The platform utilizes human-in-the-loop AI—where artificial intelligence analysis is guided and refined by human expertise and judgment—to analyze privacy policies and data practices. This approach ensures that automated systems don’t operate in isolation but instead incorporate human values and oversight when alerting users to potential concerns.

Oak AI initially focused on serving individual users with their consumer-facing solutions. Beginning with strong growth in 2024, they expanded their vision by developing Oak Amplify, launched in April 2025. This enterprise solution helps companies better understand their data collection practices, maintain legal compliance, and navigate evolving regulations. This strategic evolution from B2C to B2B offerings positions Oak AI as a potential intermediary for online business interactions, creating a powerful network effect as they connect individual users and companies through their ethical data framework.

“MTI’s guidance, capital support, and professional networking opportunities in Maine were critical as we went from proof-of-concept to minimum viable product to scale-and-ramp,” explained Law. “More than anything, MTI has served as a hub for connections with local professionals and innovators.”

Oak AI has progressed rapidly with MTI’s support. After winning the Dirigo Labs 2024 Audience Choice Award, they launched their MVP platform in August 2024, growing to over 1,000 active users by year’s end. In early 2025, they secured their first B2B partner pilot with pre-product engagement reaching 1,700 users in March and an expected reach of 500,000-1,000,000 users by spring.

Law credits Maine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for much of Oak AI’s success. “The biggest advantages have been the supportive, close-knit community and organizations such as MTI,” he said. The company has benefited from multiple MTI programs, including MERC, TAP assistance for SBIR, and Business Innovation Funding.

With strong consumer services growth in 2024, Oak has expanded to deliver enterprise solutions that help businesses unlock user data value while streamlining data collection, maintaining legal compliance, and navigating a complex and evolving set of data regulations. This strategic pairing of B2C to B2B offerings and insights positions Oak AI as as an expert and trusted intermediary for online business interactions, connecting consumers and companies through their data stewardship framework

Based in Maine, Oak AI is positioning itself as a global leader in ethical technology, while demonstrating that significant worldwide impact can coexist with strong local connections. As they continue to grow with multiple partners in the pipeline reaching a potential 60 million+ users, they’re fulfilling their mission of creating a digital landscape where trust and transparency are the foundation of every interaction.