Article Title: Linq Secures $20 Million to Integrate AI Assistants into Messaging Platforms
In a significant move poised to reshape digital communication, Linq, a Birmingham, Alabama-based startup, has successfully raised $20 million in a Series A funding round led by TQ Ventures. This investment aims to enhance Linq’s innovative platform, which seamlessly integrates AI assistants into popular messaging applications like iMessage and RCS.
From Digital Business Cards to AI Integration
Initially, Linq entered the market with a digital business card solution designed to serve as a lead capture tool for sales teams. However, recognizing the evolving needs of businesses, the company pivoted to focus on improving customer communication by transitioning from traditional SMS to more advanced messaging platforms. This strategic shift was driven by the desire to offer businesses the ability to send messages that appear as native blue-bubble texts in iMessage, thereby enhancing authenticity and trust in customer interactions.
The Emergence of AI Assistants in Messaging
The landscape of digital communication is rapidly evolving with the advent of AI agents capable of performing tasks, answering queries, and managing schedules directly within messaging apps. A notable example is Poke, an AI assistant developed by the Interaction Company of California, which operates seamlessly within iMessage. Poke’s viral success in September 2025 underscored the growing demand for such integrations, prompting numerous AI companies to seek Linq’s expertise in embedding their chatbots and assistants into messaging platforms.
Linq’s Strategic Pivot and Growth
Faced with the burgeoning interest in AI integrations, Linq made a strategic decision to evolve from its original business model to become a foundational infrastructure layer for AI applications within messaging services. This transition has yielded impressive results: the company’s customer base expanded by 132% in the last quarter, with individual customer accounts growing by an average of 34%. Currently, AI agents utilizing Linq’s platform engage with 134,000 monthly active users, facilitating over 30 million messages each month. These achievements have contributed to a remarkable net revenue retention rate of 295%, with zero customer churn.
Funding and Future Prospects
The recent $20 million funding round, led by TQ Ventures with participation from Mucker Capital and several angel investors, is set to propel Linq’s growth further. The capital infusion will be directed towards team expansion, development of new go-to-market strategies, and continuous technological advancements. While Linq has not disclosed its current valuation, the investment reflects strong confidence in the company’s vision and capabilities.
Navigating Platform Dependencies and Expansion
Despite its successes, Linq operates within the ecosystems of major platforms like Apple’s iMessage. This dependency raises considerations about potential policy changes that could impact third-party AI chatbot integrations. Additionally, while iMessage enjoys widespread popularity in the United States, global users often prefer other messaging services such as WhatsApp, WeChat, Telegram, and Signal.
Addressing these challenges, Linq’s long-term vision extends beyond messaging apps. The company aims to develop a comprehensive platform that supports conversational technology across various channels, including programmatic voice, email, Slack, Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, and Signal. This ambitious goal is to ensure businesses can engage with customers wherever they are, fostering seamless and efficient communication.
Industry Perspectives
Andrew Marks, co-founding partner of TQ Ventures, expressed strong support for Linq’s direction, stating, By making AI-to-human communication as frictionless as texting a friend, Linq is enabling an entirely new category of companies. He further praised the founding team’s capabilities, expressing confidence in their ability to capitalize on this substantial opportunity.
Conclusion
Linq’s innovative approach to integrating AI assistants within messaging platforms marks a significant advancement in digital communication. With substantial funding and a clear vision for expansion, the company is well-positioned to lead the evolution of how businesses interact with customers, making AI-driven conversations a natural and integral part of everyday messaging experiences.
