Presence AI, a US-based customer service chatbot developer backed by e-commerce and home technology group Amazon’s Alexa Fund, has been acquired by online discount portal Groupon for an undisclosed sum.
Founded in 2015, Presence AI provides enterprises with artificial intelligence-driven chatbots that automatically answer customer queries, schedule bookings and prompt repeat orders through text messages, while learning the specifics of a client’s business over time.
The company focuses on the health, beauty and wellness sectors, all of which are key areas of interest for Groupon. The corporate plans to supply the technology to its merchant affiliates as it moves toward offering universal booking capabilities for certain services.
Presence AI was part of the second cohort of Alexa Fund’s accelerator in July 2018, receiving $20,000 in funding in exchange for a 6% stake, with the possibility of a further $100,000 in convertible debt financing. Its investors also included VC firm Newfund Capital and retail-focused VC fund Bleu Capital.