Connectly, a conversational commerce startup, has successfully raised $20 million in a Series B funding round. Led by Alibaba and supported by Unusual Ventures, Volpe Capital, RX Ventures, Falabella Ventures, and Philippos Kourkoulos Latsis, this investment underscores the growing interest in AI-enhanced communication solutions for retailers. Founded in 2020 by alumni from Facebook, Google, Uber, and McKinsey, Connectly focuses on using artificial intelligence to foster personalized, two-way customer interactions.
The company aims to replace outdated one-way communication methods like SMS and email with more engaging two-way conversations, thereby increasing customer engagement and sales. Its code-free platform enables businesses to quickly launch interactive campaigns and automate communications with both potential and existing customers.
The Series B funding follows several key milestones for Connectly, including a successful Series A in October 2023 and the introduction of Sofia AI, their AI product recommendation assistant. Over the past year, the company has nearly doubled both its revenue and workforce.
PYMTS recently discussed the nuances of embedding humor in AI chatbots with Connectly’s Chief Product Officer, Joscha Koepke. He highlighted the importance of context in AI interactions, noting that humor can enhance user experience in less critical contexts, like fashion recommendations, but should be avoided in sensitive situations such as service disruptions.
Looking ahead, Connectly’s developments in multilingual AI chatbots could significantly benefit SMBs aiming to penetrate international markets by easing language barriers and enhancing global customer interactions.
