AIfluence, a Kenyan artificial intelligence influencer marketing startup, has announced raising $1 million in seed investment.
According to the startup, the funding was led by Dubai-based EQ2 Ventures and saw the participation of other investors to include Antler East Africa, Oui Capital, ArabyAds, and an unnamed European family office.
AIfluence plans to launch in more countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia by the end of the year and invest in its tech and SaaS platform.
The startup was founded in 2019 by Nelson Aseka, George Issaias, Lamusia Anzaya and Ankit Jindal and it offers an end-to-end solution to optimize and scale global influencer marketing strategies. Its advanced algorithm power influencer discovery and evaluation, campaign management and performance measurement for both organic and paid influencer marketing campaigns.
With AI at the core of the product, the founders started AIfluence to accurately match influencers to brands, run end to end influencer marketing campaigns, and bring transparency to the measurement of impact (ROI).
Speaking on the business model of the venture, CEO Aseka, AIfluence, noted that the operation was developed in an audience-first approach, and built on a trust network model where it deploys thousands of nano influencers and followers who have a natural affinity to a brand and exhibit a high emotional connection with the target audience.
He said: “We are at the cusp of a revolution. Globally the way marketing works is changing. We find ourselves at an intersection of advanced technology and the fastest-growing region in the world in terms of digital and social media penetration. It’s an exciting place to be. Africa’s rich tradition for storytelling is alive and kicking.”
