Morocco-headquartered Hypeo AI has secured funding from Renew Capital to scale its artificial intelligence-powered platform that streamlines brand-creator collaborations. The startup, founded by Meriam Bessa, Oussama Sekkat, and Salah Eddine Mimouni, eliminates traditional inefficiencies in influencer marketing by reducing campaign setup from weeks to just 15 minutes.
Hypeo AI’s platform integrates intelligent matching algorithms, real-time performance analytics, and pricing intelligence, replacing manual, spreadsheet-heavy processes. It uniquely supports both human influencers and AI-generated “Meta Humans”, reflecting the evolving digital landscape where virtual personalities increasingly compete for brand partnerships.
The company’s breakthrough came with Kenza Layli, an AI-generated Moroccan influencer who rose to international fame, amassing over 200,000 followers and becoming the world’s first Miss AI 2024 winner—selected from more than 1,500 virtual competitors. Layli, designed to embody the image of a modern Moroccan woman, promotes diversity and inclusivity while offering brands consistent messaging and availability.
CEO Meriam Bessa emphasized that talent is abundant in North Africa and the Middle East, but the ecosystem suffers from a lack of smart infrastructure. Hypeo AI’s technology aims to fill that gap, enabling scalable, data-driven influencer marketing and creator monetization across emerging markets.
With Renew Capital’s backing, Hypeo AI will expand its platform capabilities, increase creator onboarding, and move into new verticals such as AI-powered wellness coaching, leveraging its core AI expertise beyond marketing. Operating from Casablanca and New York, the startup positions itself as a bridge between African and U.S. markets while driving digital economy growth across Africa and the Middle East.
Renew Capital’s investment aligns with its broader strategy of supporting Africa’s innovative tech startups through its Renew Venture Lab Fund 2, which combines capital with founder training and ecosystem support.
