source: techcrunch ai: malaysia’s ai agent-powered messaging app respond.io raises $62.5m, eyes acquisitions
level: business
respond.io, a kuala lumpur-based customer conversation platform, raised $62.5 million in series b funding led by camber partners. the company processes 2 billion messages per quarter and has reached $35 million in annual recurring revenue, growing 169% year-over-year with a 30% profit margin. it serves mid-to-large b2c businesses in sectors like healthcare, automotive, and education, where customers often need to chat before buying.
the platform integrates messaging channels such as whatsapp, instagram, and tiktok, using ai agents to handle inquiries, qualify leads, and close sales automatically. unlike competitors that charge per user seat, respond.io charges based on conversation volume, so revenue does not drop when ai replaces human agents. ceo gerardo salandra says this pricing model and a data flywheel effect—where more messages improve ai, attracting more customers—give it an edge over older platforms built around email and calls.
with the new capital, respond.io plans to hire, grow organically, and acquire companies in north america and europe, where messaging adoption is accelerating. currently, those regions account for only 20% of revenue, but salandra expects them to become the largest segment within two to three years. the company is already in talks with potential acquisition targets to speed up market entry, while maintaining disciplined spending.
why it matters: the funding shows how ai-driven messaging platforms can scale by monetizing conversation volume instead of seats, a model that aligns with automation trends in customer service.
source: techcrunch ai: malaysia’s ai agent-powered messaging app respond.io raises $62.5m, eyes acquisitions