From AI Methodology to Internet Startup: The Story of the Softbots Project Softbots (software robots) are intelligent agents that use a wide range of software tools and services on a person's behalf. A person states ``what'' she wants and her softbot is responsible for the details of ``how'' and ``where'' to satisfy the request. Back in 1991, Rod Brooks advocated physical, behavior-based robots as the sole substrate for AI research. In response, I launched the softbots project as a complementary testbed for AI research. In 1997 Netbot Inc., an Internet startup based on softbot technology, was acquired by Excite. What happened? My talk will chronicle the growth of the softbots project from its methodological roots to its commercial off-shoots and highlight the intellectual challenges faced along the way. For more information about Oren and his work: http://www.cs.washington.edu/homes/etzioni/