Payment services firm American Express acquired Mezi, a US-based digital travel assistant developer that is also one of its portfolio companies, for an undisclosed amount on Tuesday.
Founded in 2015, Mezi has built a personal assistant that combines artificial intelligence technology with human customer service agents to help users book travel, accommodation and dining.
The platform retains a profile on each user that is automatically updated, helping agents to make personalised recommendations. The technology has been powering AskAmex, a personal concierge service launched by the firm for its card members that is still in the pilot stage.
Mezi raised $9m in a mid-2016 series A round backed by American Express Ventures, the corporate’s strategic investment unit, as well as Nexus Venture Partners, Saama Capital and angel investors Amit Singhal and Gokul Rajaram.
Phil Norman, vice-president of American Express Digital Labs, said: “Mezi’s AI-powered experience opens up exciting new ways for us to connect with and serve our card members and creates opportunities for us to build more meaningful relationships with them.”
“With messaging emerging as channel of choice for many, and the demand for unique experiences increasing, we believe the combination of Mezi’s capabilities with our global network of expert travel counsellors creates a differentiated, high-touch service experience for our card members.”
Mezi had originally secured $2.8m in a 2015 seed round led by Nexus Venture Partners that included angel investors Manish Chandra, Nickhil Jakatdar, Scott Bagby, Chris Becherer, Rajan Navani and Rajesh Kamat.