By: Sydney Harris & Carly Specht
Each year, the NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference convenes the world’s largest group of LGBTQ+ and allied business owners, corporate leaders, affiliate leaders, and other NGLCC stakeholders. The National LGBTQ+ & Allied Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the largest advocacy organization dedicated to expanding merit-based economic opportunities and advancements for LGBTQ+ and other allied and interested businesses, and the International Business & Leadership Conference is a place to learn, connect, and explore new opportunities. Among the many programs featured each year, the Biz Pitch competition stands out as a major highlight. Biz Pitch gives LGBTQ+ and allied founders the chance to present their companies to an audience of more than 1,000 attendees, including corporate partners and supplier inclusion professionals who are eager to meet emerging innovators.
In 2025, one of those innovators was U&AI, co-founded by Yarden Brikman (he/him) and Eden Gamliel (she/her). Based in Los Angeles, U&AI offers a new approach to digital strategy in the age of generative AI. Their company focuses on helping brands get mentioned and rank highly across AI-driven search platforms, including ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overview. More information about their work can be found at https://uandai.co/.
When they took the Biz Pitch stage, U&AI had only recently been incorporated. Sydney Harris (she/her), NGLCC’s Vice President of Supplier Inclusion & Education, and Carly Specht (she/her), Associate Director of Affiliate Relations & External Affairs, met with Yarden and Eden to discuss how their post-conference journey highlights their talent, timing, and the impact of visibility and community engagement.
Building U&AI: A Collaboration Rooted in Storytelling and Strategy
Yarden and Eden began their careers in different parts of the creative world. Yarden worked as a creative director, leading campaigns for major brands and running his own agency. Eden came from a film and television background, directing and producing projects for platforms including Netflix, Warner Bros., and Nickelodeon. Their paths eventually converged through shared client work and a mutual interest in storytelling.
When consumer habits shifted toward using AI tools for search, they identified a major gap. Many businesses had no idea how AI interpreted their content or whether they appeared in AI-based search results at all. This new landscape presented both risk and opportunity, and Yarden and Eden recognized the need for a service that could guide companies through it.
“Businesses wanted to show up there and be the answer for the service or product they offer,” Eden explained. “That was the opportunity we recognized.”
They launched U&AI, a company dedicated to improving AI visibility. Their four-step process involves monitoring, strategy, execution, and evaluation. By reverse engineering the prompts and pathways that drive AI search results, U&AI helps clients understand how they appear within AI systems and what content gaps need to be filled.
“We solve AI presence for businesses,” Eden said. “We track what AI knows and does not know about you, then act on the strategy to make our clients visible.”
Their approach is both technical and human. It is rooted in the belief that visibility matters, whether for individuals or for brands.
Visibility as a Mission
Throughout the interview, both founders returned repeatedly to the idea of visibility. For Yarden, the connection between AI visibility and LGBTQ+ and allied visibility felt especially significant.
“Visibility and visibility,” he said. “Visibility as being part of the LGBTQ+ [and allied] community, and also visibility to brands. It is connected.”
Eden added, “You know what it means to feel like you are not seen, and we understand that pain point from the business perspective.”
Their work reflects this mission. U&AI focuses not only on large enterprises but also on small and medium businesses that struggle to compete with major players online. They see AI platforms as a space where competition is more open, and where well-structured content can outperform industry giants.
“It is possible. It is doable. We pass giants in the industry every day,” Yarden noted.
Supporting underserved businesses is more than a strategy; it is a value that mirrors their experience as LGBTQ+ and allied founders navigating tech spaces where they have not always seen themselves represented.
A Launchpad at the NGLCC Conference
When U&AI arrived at the Conference in August 2025, they were only weeks past incorporation. Biz Pitch gave them a stage and an audience at a critical moment.
“We were given a great opportunity,” Eden shared. “NGLCC were the first ones to really give us that boost and put us in front of an audience to talk about the problems we solve. It really, really helped launch our business.”
The response was immediate. Even without winning the top prize, they quickly became recognizable faces at the event. Attendees approached them everywhere they went. Corporate leaders expressed interest in their work. Potential clients began asking questions. The visibility alone changed the trajectory of their company.
“It gives you an approval in a way,” Yarden said. “An approval that what you are doing is interesting and meaningful.”
Beyond the exposure, they emphasized the atmosphere of the Conference. It felt supportive, welcoming, and collaborative.
“There was something very inspiring about talking to other business owners,” Eden said. “The environment was very friendly and kind. People were interested in learning more about us. It was a great experience, very motivating and enriching.”
She added, “The sense of community is definitely felt there.”
For U&AI, the relationships built at the Conference continue to shape their growth. They have since connected with new corporate partners and have attended additional events through NGLCC’s network.
“We are actually growing because of the NGLCC Conference,” Yarden said. “For real.”
The Importance of Community and Showing Up
Networking and community involvement play a central role in U&AI’s strategy. Their rapid growth is tied not only to their product but also to their willingness to engage, speak, and collaborate.
“Networking is such a big part of what we do,” Eden said. “It is all about spreading the word. NGLCC gave us that opportunity.”
They encourage other LGBTQ+ and allied entrepreneurs to stay connected to the community, not only for business reasons but also for personal and professional grounding.
Yarden explained it as a cycle of support. “Get involved in the community. That is the reason we joined LAGLCC, connecting to NGLCC. Being involved in the community is what started my career. Do good, and good will come back easily.”
Partnership also comes up repeatedly in their advice. Eden reflected on the difference having a co-founder has made for her well-being and resilience.
“If possible, do not do it alone,” she said. “Having a business partner has been a crucial recipe for success.”
Together, their message is clear. Visibility grows when you show up, when you contribute, and when you stand alongside others in your community.
Beyond Biz Pitch: Real Growth, Real Results
Biz Pitch awards $25,000 to its winner. U&AI did not win the prize. Yet what happened afterward became one of the strongest validations of their path.
“The prize money was 25 grand,” Yarden said. “After not winning, we said that was our initial goal.”
Eden added that they had already created a plan for how they would use the funds. Then, in the month following the Conference, they surpassed $25,000 in profit.
“We achieved that,” Yarden said. “We got it. And when we realized it, we thought, ‘We already have the plan ready. We already know what to do next.’”
The milestone felt affirming and natural. Eden described it as “very synchronized and meant to be.”
Their growth continues. With fundraising underway and new opportunities on the horizon, U&AI is preparing for the next stage of expansion. They plan to stay connected to NGLCC and hope to participate in future programming.
A Biz Pitch Success Story Still Being Written
U&AI embodies what the Biz Pitch competition is designed to celebrate. They are innovative, mission-driven, and deeply committed to supporting LGBTQ+ and allied communities. Their story is not simply about AI or visibility. It is about what happens when entrepreneurs are seen, supported, and given the space to tell their stories.
“We just want to thank you,” Eden shared. “The opportunities you keep bringing our way mean a lot.”
Their business is evolving quickly, and their journey is far from finished. Yet the momentum sparked at the Conference continues to guide their trajectory. It demonstrates the power of visibility, the importance of community, and the impact of the NGLCC network for LGBTQ+ and allied founders who are ready to take the next step.
U&AI’s success offers a reminder that showing up, being seen, and community matters. In their case, momentum came from being in the right room at the right moment, with a clear idea and the willingness to share it.
Additional Resources:
- Join us at NGLCC’s 2026 International Business and Leadership Conference in San Diego, CA from August 18-21, 2026 to connect with innovators, business leaders, and the next generation of Biz Pitch competitors: https://www.nglccconference.com/
- Learn more about U&AI and explore their work, mission, and latest developments: https://uandai.co/
