US-based startup Linq has raised $20 million in new funding because it pivots to assist AI assistants work instantly inside on a regular basis messaging apps equivalent to iMessage, RCS, and SMS.
The Collection A spherical was led by TQ Ventures, with participation from Mucker Capital and a number of other angel traders. The recent funding will probably be used to increase the group, refine the product, and construct a stronger go-to-market technique targeted on AI builders and corporations constructing conversational instruments.
From digital playing cards to messaging tech
Linq was based by former Shipt executives Elliott Potter, Patrick Sullivan, and Jared Mattsson in Birmingham, Alabama, and initially launched as a digital enterprise card and lead-capture instrument for gross sales groups.
After just a few pivots, the startup discovered sturdy demand in 2025 by serving to companies improve buyer communication from fundamental SMS to richer codecs like iMessage and RCS.
The important thing attraction was authenticity. Conventional enterprise texts usually really feel impersonal, however Linq’s API lets firms message prospects extra naturally, with options like photographs, emojis, voice notes, group chats, and threaded replies.
AI brokers drive the following pivot
Linq’s route modified once more with the rise of AI assistants. Curiosity surged after the launch of Poke, an AI assistant that lets customers full duties and handle schedules instantly inside iMessage.
As Poke gained consideration, Linq started receiving requests from AI startups looking for to deploy assistants inside messaging apps fairly than construct separate apps. That demand pushed Linq to reposition itself as infrastructure for AI-driven conversations.
Since pivoting towards AI messaging infrastructure, Linq says its buyer base has grown 132% quarter over quarter. Current prospects have additionally expanded their utilization, with common account progress of 34%.
The corporate says AI brokers constructed on its platform now attain about 134,000 month-to-month energetic customers. Linq processes greater than 30 million messages monthly and stories sturdy buyer retention with no churn so far.