Linq raises $20M to enable AI assistants to live within messaging apps

Linq, a startup based in Birmingham, Alabama, has successfully raised $20 million in a Series A funding round, aiming to revolutionize how businesses interact with customers through messaging applications. Initially launched as a digital business card and lead capture tool, Linq has undergone several pivots before arriving at its current focus: enhancing business communication by transitioning from traditional SMS to more advanced messaging services like iMessage and RCS. The company was founded by former Shipt executives Elliott Potter (CEO), Patrick Sullivan (CTO), and Jared Mattsson (President). They recognized a gap in the market where businesses could communicate with customers in a more authentic manner. Unlike typical business texts that appear in gray, Linq’s solution allows companies to send messages that appear in blue, mimicking personal conversations. In February 2025, Linq launched an API that enables businesses to communicate directly with customers through iMessage, utilizing features such as group chats, emojis, and voice notes. The results were impressive; within eight months, Linq doubled its annual recurring revenue, according to CEO Elliott Potter. The emergence of AI agents further expanded the company's market potential. The viral success of an AI assistant named Poke, which can manage tasks and answer queries within iMessage, prompted Linq to pivot its strategy once more. Potter shared that Poke’s creators reached out to Linq seeking to integrate their AI capabilities with the Linq messaging API. This led to a surge in interest from AI companies wanting to utilize the platform for their chatbots and assistants. Linq faced a critical decision: continue serving its existing B2B clients or evolve into an infrastructure provider for the burgeoning AI sector. Despite their commitment to sales customers, Linq chose to pivot and focus on becoming a technological backbone for various programmatic messaging applications. Potter believes that users are overwhelmed with apps, and Linq’s technology enables AI interactions to occur seamlessly within existing messaging platforms, eliminating the need for additional applications. As a result of this strategic shift, Linq's customer base has grown by 132% in just one quarter, with an average account growth of 34%. The platform now supports AI agents that engage with 134,000 active users monthly, facilitating over 30 million messages each month and achieving an impressive net revenue retention rate of 295% with zero churn. The newly acquired funding will be directed towards expanding Linq’s team, enhancing its market strategy, and further developing its technology. While Linq's current operations are built on Apple’s platform, there are uncertainties about potential future restrictions. Nonetheless, Potter envisions a broader future for Linq beyond messaging, aiming to enable communication across various channels such as Slack, email, and other messaging services. Andrew Marks, a co-founding partner at TQ Ventures, expressed confidence in Linq's ability to capitalize on this significant opportunity, highlighting the extraordinary capabilities of its founding team.