💬 Founding and Growth
In 2020, Stefanos Loukakos and Yandong Liu launched Connectly.ai to help e-commerce businesses personalize customer interactions. Their platform integrates with messaging apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and SMS. In 2023, Connectly saw its revenue grow 5x, hitting $3.5M. By 2024, they’re on track to reach $7M in revenue, doubling their growth. Loukakos emphasized how Connectly allows retailers to “send and receive messages” effortlessly without managing complex tech updates. The company now serves over 300 paying customers, including major e-commerce brands.
🤖 Connectly’s AI-Powered Tools
Connectly leverages AI to fine-tune its product suggestions and automatically segment customers based on their behavior. For example, the system detects abandoned carts and sends discount codes or promotions to bring customers back. Connectly’s AI also automates conversations by integrating with platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp, sending personalized messages about price changes, stock updates, and special offers. "Businesses need a solution to automate conversations," said Loukakos, highlighting Connectly’s value for brands aiming to connect with customers more effectively.
📊 Backing from Alibaba
In September 2024, Chinese retail giant Alibaba led a $20M Series B funding round for Connectly, raising the company’s total funding to $37.2M. The investment brought Connectly’s valuation close to $100M. Loukakos called Alibaba’s support “profoundly impactful.” Alibaba’s spokesperson added, “We look to partner with innovative companies paving the way in their industry.” The funds will support Connectly’s platform development and workforce expansion in San Francisco, where the team is set to grow from 65 to nearly 80 by year-end.
💼 Competitive Landscape
Connectly faces competition from companies like Twilio, Infobip, and Attentive in the conversational e-commerce space. Despite this, the company continues to attract major investors, including Unusual Ventures and Falabella Ventures. Meanwhile, research shows that many consumers still prefer human customer service over AI-driven solutions. Yet, Gartner predicts AI automation could save $80B in labor costs across contact centers by 2026, with 10% of interactions being handled by AI. Connectly aims to capitalize on this shift, as brands seek to balance automation and personalized customer experiences.
Can AI-powered text messages improve customer loyalty?
