Selected interviews, profiles, awards, and coverage of Mesh (formerly Clay), Bowery, and earlier work.
2025
How Does Clay Fit Into Automattic’s Ecosystem?
A conversation with Zachary Hamed and Matthew Achariam about Mesh’s origin, privacy-first design, AI, and what comes next at Automattic.
Automattic Acquires Relationship Manager Clay to Add an Identity Layer to Online Tools
Sarah Perez reports on the acquisition, the team’s move to Automattic, and the vision for Mesh as an identity layer across communication tools.
Automattic Scoops Up Relationship Management Startup Clay
Crunchbase covers Automattic’s acquisition of the relationship-management company and its venture backing.
2024
How Using AI and Design Thinking Made Clay the Next Generation Rolodex
A long-form conversation about building in New York, hiring exceptional people, thoughtful growth, and designing a people-first product.
Clay’s Million-Dollar Vision for the Future of Networks
Zach joins the Turning Pro podcast to discuss relationship technology, product craft, and the future of personal networks.
2023
Personal CRM App Clay Adds an AI Helper to Help You Navigate Your Relationships
A first look at Nexus, Mesh’s privacy-conscious AI for asking questions of your personal and professional network.
2022
Clay Wins Two Webby Awards for App to Strengthen Personal and Professional Relationships
Mesh wins both the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for best productivity and collaboration app.
Nurturing Thoughtful Relationships With the Co-Founders of Clay
Zach and Matthew discuss intentional networking, calm product design, privacy, and building software that helps people remember what matters.
2021
Clay Debuts a New Tool to Help People Better Manage Their Business and Personal Relationships
TechCrunch introduces the product and reports on Mesh’s $8 million seed round led by Forerunner Ventures and General Catalyst.
2017
Meet the 4 Goldman Sachs “Game Changers” Who Made Forbes’ 30 Under 30 List
A profile of four young Goldman Sachs employees selected for the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
Zach Hamed
Forbes recognizes Zach in its 2017 Finance 30 Under 30 class for his work building products at Goldman Sachs.
2014
This 21-Year-Old Helped Fund 30 Startups Before Landing $1.5 Million for His Own
A profile of Zach’s path from Harvard and the Thiel Fellowship to co-founding enterprise developer-tools startup Bowery.
2013
School Is Crucial, but Keep It Broad
An argument for teaching computer science alongside the humanities and other subjects, preparing students to think critically and adapt rather than training for a narrow job market.
This Year’s Thiel Fellows Include a Fashion Designer, a Poet, and a Harvard Dropout
Fast Company introduces the 2013 class of Thiel Fellows and the projects they set out to build.
2012
Nurturing the Seeds of Innovation
Harvard Engineering profiles student founders, including Zach’s work on Aid Aide and his approach to building products.