Customer-experience automation platform Akia, which serves the hospitality industry, has announced a $6 million Series A funding round. Venture capital firm Altos Ventures led the financing with additional participation from GSR Ventures. Akia previously landed $1 million from GSR Ventures in 2020.
Based in San Francisco, Akia was founded in 2018 and launched in 2019 by a team of ex-Facebook engineers.
The company says its two-way communication platform, powered by artificial intelligence, is designed to help hotels enhance guest engagement, while its process automation system increases staff efficiency and drives revenue.
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“Securing this new round of funding from Altos is really a validation of our vision,” says Evan Chen, CEO of Akia.
“Consumers are tired of poorly made chatbots, waiting on hold for call centers or downloading apps for single use,” Chen continues. “We are committed to developing innovative products and services that help businesses respond more effectively and quickly to the changing needs of their customers.”
According to Akia, the current market conditions, ongoing labor shortage and post-pandemic impact have increased demand for its automated customer engagement framework.
The startup says its “mini apps” don’t require download or login and expedite processes such as identity verification, security deposit collection and contactless hotel check-in.
“Akia is paving the path for the next generation of tech-enabled services,” says Jim Dai, partner at Altos Ventures. “The hospitality sector has faced numerous challenges in recent years and will need a system like Akia to delight customers while improving efficiency.”